DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD’S WORD

“Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; because they rebelled against the words of God . . . therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help" (Psalm 107:10-12).

They were bound in affliction because they rebelled against God and rejected His counsel (see verse 11). Beloved, could this be you? You have sat under godly preaching and the Holy Spirit has convicted you but still you are miserable and continue to sin.

When a person willfully disobeys the Word of God, his tendency is to hide and cower in fear. He may feel that it is all over, thinking, "God can't use me." When you are in that condition, the devil will whisper to you, "There is no deliverance for you. You're one of those people who never change. God has had it with you—your sin has caused Him to hide His face."

Satan will pound you with Scriptures, misquoting them all. When you sit in church, you will hear only judgment, not God’s mercy—because you are under such guilt, condemnation and fear.

I am not referring to people who hide from God because they love their sin. Rather, I am talking about Christians who have taken a fall but still have a sorrow and a hatred for their sin. Something inside them cries, "I have hurt God."

To this Christian, God's Word promises: "Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works. . . . For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder" (Psalm 107:13-16).

God never has—and never will—hide His face from a crying child of His. No matter how far you have fallen or how many promises you have made to God—and broken—He will always hear your cry for help and bring you back into close fellowship with Him.