Comfortable and Dangerous

There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. –
Proverbs 14:12

    My husband read a report in a doctor’s magazine that said if you do not want to have back surgery as you age, then sleep on a very hard mattress. As we both were beginning to experience some discomfort on our softer mattress, we purchased the firmest mattress we could afford and our backs responded beautifully.
     In an effort to help others, I began sharing this information and most of the time I’d get responses like –

“Oh, I could never give up my soft mattress!”
“I LOVE my soft mattress!”

     Upon further questioning it was always admitted that they were having some back problems and one already had back surgery, yet all of them still refused to relinquish the comfort of their soft, dangerous beds.
     In ancient Israel, God’s people were also refusing to give up things that gave them pleasure but were not good for them; these things were even very offensive to God. Despite repeated warnings to repent, God’s admonishments to them for their good were ignored until there was no remedy and judgment ultimately fell upon them for their correction as predicted.
     If God chooses to remove us from our comfort zones let’s remember that it may well be for our own good.
     If there is something in your life you know isn’t good for you, yet you are refusing to give it up, it might be time to align yourself with the word of God now, and avoid some potentially painful readjustments in the future.

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent – Revelation 3:19

Copyright 2010 by H. D. Shively

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