The Folly of a Fearful Disobedience

As for those of you who may be left, I will also bring weakness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies. And the sound of a driven leaf will chase them, and even when no one is pursuing they will flee as though from the sword, and they will fall. - Leviticus 26:36

Long before Israel would experience the Lord's decisive judgment at the hand of the Assyrians, the Almighty clearly declared both the blessings of obedience and the curses of its opposite. Of course, anyone with a cursory understanding of biblical history knows how it turned out for God's people, many lives were lost and many others were enslaved.

Among those who were enslaved, there may have been a few who were initially relieved by the outcome, thinking that somehow they escaped God's retribution, but they were mistaken. There was no escape, no relief forthcoming. Those who had somehow survived in the land of their enemies would only live lives full of anxiety, uncertainty, and fear.

Many today are deceived in thinking that somehow they have escaped God's judgment, simply because they do not currently experience His punishment. Yet, there is no peace for the unrepentant. Running from obedience only ensures some worrisome, anxious days. Such is the folly of a fearful disobedience.

How very little can be done under the spirit of fear. - Florence Nightingale