PLACING LIMITS ON GOD’S POWER TO BLESS OUR LIVES

     As GOD led the children of Israel, so He leads every man who comes to Him for salvation. And His manner of building our faith today is the same as it was then: “And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.” Deut.8:2. In GOD’S chosen method to shepherd us we are to always see His affection and desire for our good: “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.” Ps.103:13. It is under this banner that David prayed: “he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.” Ps.23:3.

     The danger comes when we take liberties with salvation that weakens our faith to stand through the tests that always come. History teaches how the children of Israel repeatedly failed, and by so doing shut the door on the LORD’S desire to bless, to guard—and to finish His work of salvation on the Earth: “Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.” Ps.78:41.

     The enemy of souls is hard at work to separate the heart from GOD. But as the LORD restrains the devil’s powers (Job 2:6) and limits his prodding of sinful men (Ps.21:11) “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” I Cor.10:13.

     King David learned first-hand the limitations men place upon the power of GOD to provide for our every need. In his own life, the LORD pleaded with David, and with us on this principle:

“Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; AND IF THAT HAD BEEN TOO LITTLE, I WOULD MOREOVER HAVE GIVEN UNTO THEE SUCH AND SUCH THINGS.” II Sam.12:7,8.

     Which brings us to the doctrine of repentance. “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” I Jn.2:1-6. In these words we see the balance of forgiveness, repentance, and warning.

     The Apostle Paul to the Hebrews addressed the severity of the warning: “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away [Greek text means to apostatize; to forever renounce GOD’S Holy Law], to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” Heb.6:4-6. This passage does not refer to the “backslider” (Jer.3:12) nor does it refer to one who has fallen into sin (Ex.34:7), but only to those who refuse to recover from their sins (Isa.30:12).

     The principles of history never change (Eccl.1:9- 11). Satan and his demons mock GOD and holy angels every time we fail to comply with heavenly standards. In this we bring dishonor to GOD. Our repentance must work redemption as Solomon said, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Prov.28:13.

     This is where the LORD’S words of mercy caress the sorrowful heart:

“I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.” “He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” “I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.” Isa.44:22; Mic.7:19; Ps.85:8.