Backsliding & Beyond Deliverance

Have you ever known anyone beyond the Lord's deliverance? Scary thought!

"O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee." (7) 

Here the prophet is pleading with the LORD for the backslidden state of the people. *Notice*, he included himself in this plea using "us", "we" and "our". He knew they were in desperate need of deliverance! He asked that the Lord do it for no other reason than for His own name's sake. Oh but here's the Lord's response... He was fed up! 

"Thus saith the LORD unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the LORD doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins. Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good." Jeremiah 14:7,10-11

The Lord didn't even want to hear it. His people had stomped on His heart so long in backsliding rebellion that He told Jeremiah, "Pray not for this people..." 

That's serious stuff! Wow! Woe to those whom the Lord has turned over to their own ways and granted a reprobate mind! Indeed, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Hebrews 10:31 Has the Lord ever stopped you from praying for good for anyone?

Reproof and Restoration or Rebellion?

Reproof is designed to bring repentance and repentance brings restoration.

"He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding." Proverbs 15:32

According to the Strong's Concordance, Reproof by definition means - properly, to convince with solid, compelling evidence, especially to expose (prove wrong, connect).

The Word of God, through the Scriptures brings such corrections to our natural rebellion against the Almighty.

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"
2 Timothy 3:16

"My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth." Proverbs 3:11-12

Those who embrace and heed are wise, and reap restoration to the Father, yet those who reject and remain in their rebellion refuse union or reunion with the Creator. Are you spending time in the Word of God? Are you allowing Him to deal with you? Do you embrace His chiding or do you think you know better than He?