Challenging Words Filled with Love

Imagine that God has promised you something: your healing, your freedom. Let’s take the often-read verse from Jeremiah:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT). 

But on the way there, He says: “But I will not go with you, because you are a stubborn people; otherwise, I might destroy you on the way.” (Exodus 33:3 NLT). Ouch, that hurts!

It sounds harsh at first. But today, I want to talk about this, because some things really do sadden God…

Why does He say, “You are a stubborn people?”

Stubbornness is when someone clings to their own beliefs, opinions, or decisions and is unwilling to change them.

The Israelites, for example, had just built a golden calf and saw how angry God became. That’s why God called them stubborn. It’s clear that while they regretted their actions, they hadn’t truly changed their view about the option of having other gods in their lives! Aha!

friend, have you ever felt clearly that something you did didn’t please God? Where has He pointed it out to you, and you may have even asked for forgiveness with tears... but honestly, today you’d do it again because you’re still stubborn in that area?

Maybe it’s the conflict in your family, where God has long laid it on your heart to forgive, and you’ve even said it out loud, but deep down, you’re still angry with them?

When God says, “But I will not go with you, because you are a stubborn people; otherwise, I might destroy you on the way.” (Exodus 33:3 NLT), it means it genuinely pains Him when we are stubborn. He doesn’t abandon us, no! Out of love, He allows us to keep moving towards our goal, but we don’t experience Him as closely as we could if we weren’t so stubborn.

Do you understand what I mean, friend?

God wants to give you EVEN MORE— are you willing to exchange your stubbornness for it?

You are a miracle!