“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” —James 4:6
In Isaiah 63, the children of Israel had turned against their Father and had resisted Him. Now He resisted them (v. 10). God pours grace upon the humble. But those who stiffen themselves up against Him, He stiff-arms and keeps at a distance.
It’s not that God changes, but from our perspective (having rebelled against Him), He appears to be different as He deals with us in different ways. Yet it’s all an expression of His covenant-keeping love. When He resists us, it’s not the final judgment; it’s redemptive. It’s discipline for the purpose of restoring us to a place of intimacy and right relationship with Him.
In Lamentations 2:5, it says, “The Lord has become like an enemy; he has swallowed up Israel; he has swallowed up all its palaces; he has laid in ruins its strongholds.”
If the things you cherish pull you away from God, He will lay them in ruins if it’s necessary. Not because He hates you but because of His covenant-keeping love. He wants you back.
Make it Personal
Is there anything you cherish that’s pulling you away from God? How can you turn away from it and back toward Him today?