The book of Judges clearly illustrates that there is a cycle we tend to fall into because, though we are redeemed people, we are still prone to sin. This cycle can take place over a period of days or decades, and the tendency to fall away applies individually and corporately. Just as the Lord will deal with you to bring you back to Himself, He will also deal with congregations, cities, peoples, and nations to bring reconciliation.
Our Father loves us so much that when we wander away, He will do whatever is necessary to bring us back to fellowship-- even if we get uncomfortable in the process. This cyclical process is:
1. Satisfaction-- Blessing from the Lord results in peace and prosperity. This can lead to complacency and the presumption that God will continue to bless regardless of our heart attitudes or outward actions. We move from being God-centered to being self-centered.
2. Sin-- God is no longer Lord of our lives. We worship other things, desire carnal indulgences, and generally forget the source of our blessings and the fear the Lord. We are essentially self-centered.
3. Suffering-- God allows our adversary to have a limited amount of authority to make our lives miserable. We remain self-centered.4. Supplication-- Our suffering serves to get our attention and causes us to cry out to the Lord, asking for his mercy and deliverance. We move from being self-centered to being God-centered.
5. Salvation-- Our compassionate Father hears our pleas for help and moves His hand to improve our situation in His perfect timing and manner. We respond with gratitude. We are God-centered.
You don’t have to repeat this cycle. Make every effort to maintain your relationship with God and nurture the fear of the Lord in your life. The cycle can be broken through fear of the Lord and constant relationship with Him.
"They will all know Me,
from the least of them to the greatest,"
declares the Lord.
“For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more."
Jeremiah 31:34
David Epps
