Who Are We Blaming?

Psalms 119:85-87 The proud have dug pits for me, which is not according to Your law. All Your commandments are faithful; they persecute me wrongfully; help me! They almost made an end of me on earth, but I did not forsake Your precepts.

Affliction can be a teacher or a discourager. Which one it becomes is up to us. We can be like the psalmist and learn from affliction and suffering, or we can choose to let it discourage us; or even worse, blame God for the choices of men. In the midst of obvious persecution, the psalmist cried out to God because those who were after him violated God's Word, and even sought after his life. Let me ask this question today to those of us who have chosen to stop going to church, or stopped gathering in fellowship with other believers, "What did God do to cause you to withdraw from Him?" Some would answer, "Wait! I didn't withdraw from God! I stopped going to church because of those hypocritical Christians!" So, what we are saying is that we are going to disobey God's command in Hebrews 10:23-25 to not forsake our assembling together; especially now, when His return is closer than ever, simply because of how someone else behaved? Are not those the same people, who we call brothers and sisters, the ones we are supposed to love and encourage? Do we gather with other believers simply to see what we can get out of that time together, or are we gathering to be used by God to serve and be a blessing, while we worship the Lord together? The fact of the matter is that persecution and troubles can involve both the saved or unsaved people in our lives. However, when people behave a certain way, that is not God's fault. On the contrary, when we are in the heat of turmoil, regardless of who it involves, God does not want us to withdraw from life. No...He wants us to draw closer to Him, and trust Him to intervene, and even take vengeance on our behalf. Our position should always be that we pray more fervently, search God's Word more diligently, and seek more intimacy with Him. Let us not allow persecution, suffering, or the sinful actions of others discourage us from our relationship with God. Let us not blame God for the behavior of man, for man was the one who chose to disobey God and open the door for sin and death to ruin God's perfect creation. So today, stop and consider this, "Who are we blaming for the sinful behavior of men?"

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 7:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).