​Does God ever abandon His children?  Does He ever see their continued sin and say “Enough!”?  If so, how can a loving and forgiving God do such a thing?

​When you’re between a rock and a hard place, you generally go looking for help.  The question is where do you go to for help?  Who do you turn to?
 
Israel was in a difficult situation as God poured out His judgment upon her.  Her land was desolate, her people broken, and her future seemingly hopeless.  But instead of turning to the LORD and seeking forgiveness for her transgression, Israel dug herself into a deeper hole by pursuing alliances and help from her powerful, ungodly next-door neighbor.  

​So far, God has extended numerous warnings, calls to repentance, and offers of mercy to His wayward people Israel, but to no avail.  They are determined in their sin and unwilling to acknowledge their guilt, and God’s patience is wearing thin.  Pleading and contending has not worked on the people of Israel, and the LORD’s holy anger cannot be averted forever.  Therefore, God declares that judgment is coming for this stubborn people.  

​Do you have a stubborn streak?  Are you often the one who will not bend on an issue but holds tightly to your position and will not let go?
 
Sometimes stubbornness can be a good thing especially when it is used in the Spirit and for standing up for the things of the Lord.  However, more often than not obstinacy is used in the flesh as a negative thing.  It is built on the sin of pride and often rears its ugly head when we don’t want to admit wrongdoing.