Are You Still Licking Your Wound of Rebellion?

     


    A couple of weeks ago our family’s greyhound had a hotspot on her right rump. We did not notice it at first, but only when we came back from our small vacation did our pet sitter point it out. Our greyhound, having thin skin, split open the hotspot by constantly licking it. We took her to our veterinarian, and he gave us some topical antiseptic medication to numb the area.

    With gentle encouragement we tried our best to prevent her from licking the wound, thinking that the numbness from the topical antiseptic would stop her. Needless to say, even with the topical antiseptic she — being stubborn — still licked that area and opened the wound further. As a last resort we took her back to the doctor. She got stitches and a collar to wear for about 14 days, which she did not like at all.


     In the Old Testament, Ezekiel tells of God’s judgment on His disobedient people — the Hebrew Nation. For a long time they were rebellious, even from the very beginning when He selected them for greatness. In other words, they were hard‑headed and going against God.

“They [the people of Israel] have rebelled and turned against Me and are still rebels, just as their ancestors were. They are stubborn and do not respect Me.”  

— Ezekiel 2:3–4 (GNT)

    Because of their rebelliousness, God gave them over to the Babylonians for punishment. They continued in their rebellion even after warnings and vivid descriptions of their pending exile.

    Yet God, being loving and ever forgiving, always desired a relationship with His people. Even in their darkest hours, His grace shone like a lighthouse urging them to repent. And when they did, He promised:

“I will sprinkle clean water on you to make you clean… I will give you a new heart and a new mind. I will take away your stubborn heart of stone and give you an obedient heart.”  

— Ezekiel 36:25–26 (GNT)

    As you walk daily with God, take inventory of yourself. Are you being rebellious by resisting His gentle guidance? Are you clinging to stubbornness instead of obedience?

    God is forgiving and loving. He is ready to give you a new heart and sprinkle you clean with water, despite your failures in keeping His commandments.

My stubborn will at last hath yielded;  

I would be Thine, and Thine alone;  

And this the prayer my lips are bringing,  

Lord, let in me Thy will be done.  

— Leila Morris

Are you still licking your open wound of rebelliousness toward God? 


Wound licked, never healed,  

stubborn heart resists the balm,  

grace waits, love restores.


Stone hearts turned away,  

yet God sprinkles cleansing streams,  

new hearts rise in Him.


Yielded will at last,  

obedience blooms in light,  

Lord, Thy will be done.


 

Location: Hollywood, FL 33025, USA

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