After Abimelech had ruled over Israel for three years, God sent a spirit that stirred up trouble between Abimelech and the leading citizens of Shechem, and they revolted.

Judges 9:22-23

Our deliverance is but a cry away, however our consequences are here to stay.

We can’t think that:

• Because God is a god of love, that He is not also a Father of discipline.
• God won’t stir up trouble to lead us to repentance and return.
• God won’t lead us to repentance and also bring to justice those He used to stir up the trouble that led to the repentance. (Mind-blowing, I know)

Judges teaches we can’t expect:

• To cooperate with the world without consequences from God.
• Not to suffer when we sin, even if it’s not immediate.
• God to keep us close, when we hold Him at arm’s length. 
• For God to continue to bless us while we do what is right in our own eyes.

What trouble am I enduring because I:

• Cooperated with the world?
• Keep God at arm’s length?
• Did what was right in my own eyes?

There comes a time when God has had enough. (Old Testament)

• The LORD replied, “Did I not rescue you from the Egyptians, the Amorites, the Ammonites, the Philistines, the Sidonians, the Amalekites, and the Maonites? When they oppressed you, you cried out to me for help, and I rescued you. Yet you have abandoned me and served other gods. So I will not rescue you anymore. Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen! Let them rescue you in your hour of distress!”
  Judges 10:11-14

There comes a time when God has had enough. (New Testament)

• Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. So, God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So, they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.
  Romans 1:22-25

Sit with the Lord and answer these questions. Allow Holy Spirit to lead me to repentance and restoration.