Unwelcome Rebels

​Because of our nation’s history and beginnings, rebels seem to hold a special place in the heart of Americans.  We tend to idolize and respect those who have the audacity to break the mold, go against the norm, and march to the beat of their own drum.  However, throughout the Bible and human history rebellion has never been a good thing.  It has only caused hardship, war, and misfortune.  In fact, it was Lucifer’s decision to rebel against God’s order that caused him and his cohorts to be cast out of heaven.  Then Adam and Eve’s desire to become like God in knowing good and evil led them to disobey God’s command and rebel against their Creator.  Thus, sin and death entered the world.

​So really, the cause of all the misfortune, calamity, pain, suffering, war, and tragedy known to man is a direct result of rebellion.  Therefore, rebellion is no small matter.  God detests it and deals swiftly and harshly with those who harbor it.
 
Israel was a nation of rebels.  They rejected God’s Law and order and chose to go their own way.  They appointed kings and princes for themselves who would lead them in their rebellion and give them what they wanted.  They desired to live in unrestricted sin, and they got their wish.  Their sin became so rampant, their wickedness so widespread, and their evil so commonplace, that God could no longer tolerate it.  So God rejected them.  He drove them out of His house because they were no longer welcome in His holy dwelling place.  

“Because of the wickedness of their deeds I will drive them out of my house. I will love them no more; all their princes are rebels.”
~Hosea 9:15b

​God is holy and unable to stand the presence of sin and evil.  So when Israel became rebellious, wicked, and evil, they were unwelcome in the presence of God.  Their sin was repulsive and prompted God to drive them away.  This is what happens when we turn away from God’s design and choose our own way. 
 
God designed order and authority, and rebellion breeds chaos, disquiet, and anarchy.  God created us to walk in fellowship with Him, but rebellion broke that union and brought the dividing wedge of sin.  When we turn away from God’s commands and decide to go our own way, we become rebels, and rebels are unwelcome in the presence of our holy God.  Instead, they are rejected and driven out from the presence and fellowship of our divine Maker.
 
So what will you choose, to obey God’s commands and follow His will or will you choose the path of rebellion?  Do you want to become a welcome member of God’s house or one who is driven out because of willful disobedience? 
 
I want to be a cherished and beloved daughter of the King of kings, not an unwelcome rebel.  But this path requires obedience, acceptance and acknowledgement of sin, a repentant heart, and a humble spirit, all of which are qualities lacking in the heart of a rebel.  So may we become obedient sons and daughters of the living God, and may we not harbor a heart of rebellion.  For rebellion is repulsive to God and is rejected by the Holy One of Israel.  

“My God will reject them because they have not listened to him;
​they shall be wanderers among the nations.”
~Hosea 9:17