ARE YOU STUBBORN?

"If you get more stubborn every time you are corrected, one day you will be crushed and never recover" Proverbs 29:1 (Good News)

"Ẹniti a ba mbawi ti o wà ọrùn kì, yio parun lojiji, laisi atunṣe"- Proverbs 29:1 (Yoruba)

In 1986, two ships collided in the Black Sea off the coast of Russia and hundreds of passengers died on that fateful day. Investigation later revealed that the accident was not caused by technical fault or even thick fog. Everyone in the two ships perished simply because their captains were too stubborn to change direction. They both knew that their ships are heading towards each other and may soon collide. A little change of direction by either of them would have averted the tragedy. However, neither of them was willing to change course and give way to the other. They were too stubborn to yield and by the time they came to their senses, it was too late. 

The Yoruba translation of above scripture is very explicit on the repercussions of stubbornness. God's verdict is that anyone who is stubborn or obstinate will perish suddenly without remedy. That was exactly what happened to the first king of Israel - Saul in 1 Samuel 15. The Bible records how that handsome young man crashed the glorious ship of his destiny prematurely because of his stubbornness. Saul's stubbornness forced God to use His divine bit and bridle on him. And immediately God finished with him, Saul's ship of destiny capsized in the middle of the ocean suddenly. Everyone watched in amazement how a man's stubbornness to divine agenda can sink a glorious destiny prematurely. 

"Refusing to obey is as bad as the sin of sorcery. Being stubborn and doing what you want is like the sin of worshiping idols. You refused to obey the Lord’s command, so he now refuses to accept you as king.” 1 Samuel 15:23 (ERV)

Unfortunately, many people have not learned from the mistake of king Saul. They are still stubborn or obstinate to divine agenda despite repeated warnings. They don't seem to understand that every act of stubbornness of man adds fuel to the fire of God's wrath and judgement (Romans 2:5).

"You’re not getting by with anything. Every refusal and avoidance of God adds fuel to the fire. The day is coming when it’s going to blaze hot and high, God’s fiery and righteous judgment. Make no mistake: In the end you get what’s coming to you— Real Life for those who work on God’s side, but to those who insist on getting their own way and take the path of least resistance, Fire! "- Romans 2:5-8 (MSG)

Beloved, I hope you are not stubborn or obstinate like King Saul and the two Captains in the above story. Hope you have not turned your back on God like the stubborn Israelites (Deuteronomy 9:6-8), hope you are not like the stiff-necked Jews in Corinth who rejected Christ and even went ahead to maligned the Way (Acts 19:8-9). Please don't forget that everyone who stubbornly rejects God's Sweet Will on earth will be doomed for the rest of eternity. This article may be the last warning God is sending to you before He will eventually turn you over to the hardness of your heart. Friends, time is running out. Therefore, I urge you to please repent today and surrender completely to His Sweet Will before it will be too late. 

In 1900, God inspired Mrs. C. H. Morris to compose a wonderful hymn on surrendering or yielding to God will which is titled "Sweet Will of God". Please join me to sing and meditate on the lyrics of this beautiful hymn below as we trust God to help us yield totally or surrender completely to His Sweet Will at all times. 

SWEET WILL OF GOD

My stubborn will at last hath yielded;
I would be Thine, and Thine alone,
And this the prayer my lips are bringing,
“Lord, let in me Thy will be done.”

Refrain:
      Sweet will of God, still fold me closer,
      Till I am wholly lost in Thee;
      Sweet will of God, still fold me closer,
     Till I am wholly lost in Thee.

I’m tired of sin, footsore and weary,
The darksome path hath dreary grown,
But now a light has ris’n to cheer me;
I find in Thee my Star, my Sun.

Thy precious will, O conqu’ring Savior,
Doth now embrace and compass me;
All discords hushed, my peace a river,
My soul a prisoned bird set free.

Shut in with Thee, O Lord, forever,
My wayward feet no more to roam;
What pow’r from Thee my soul can sever?
The center of God’s will my home.

Good morning and do have a blissful day.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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