Bitter Waters

1 Samuel 15:23 (KJV) For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

      Johnny worked all day to finish his chores so that he could be ready when his father came home. He had waited all week for this day to come. His Dad had promised to take him fishing and when he came home from work they were going to take the boat to the lake. He didn’t get to see Dad very much and this was going to be a special day. When the boy saw the car pull into the driveway his heart jumped, it was time! His Dad got out and walked into the house without saying a word. Johnny followed him waiting for the word to pack their equipment in the car. Instead, he heard his Dad telling Mom that he was going to Uncle Fred’s house. How could he do that? How could he forget him and let him down? Johnny went in his room heartbroken and determined that he would never trust Dad again.

      There are many parts of this story that seem to be left unsaid. Had the Dad done this before? Why did he not keep his promise? Shouldn’t he have taken the time to explain to his son? But life is like that. We are often disappointed with no explanation of why. Life is not fair and can be capricious. We don’t have control over the circumstances that often seem to hijack our lives. But there is one thing we do have control over – how we respond.

      I have spoken to many “Johnnies” that allowed an unfair moment in their lives to define them. Inevitably the root of the problem is bitterness. The heart of the one that felt wronged had become bitter. They had expected better and been sorely disappointed. It hurt and they allowed that hurt to fester and grow into a deadly disease that blackens the soul and hardens the heart. Bitterness is the breeding ground of sin and unfulfilled expectations are the walls that define it.

      You might be wondering why I am talking about bitterness when our Scripture is about rebellion and stubbornness. The word translated “rebellion” is from the Hebrew word “meri” which the Strong’s Concordance tells us comes from the root word “marah” or bitterness. What a striking picture of the source of rebellion. Bitterness! Rebellion is the fruit that springs forth from the root of bitterness. What good can come from such an evil fountain? Death and destruction are the destination and men are carried away by their own will, not realizing that they have been overcome by the sin of witchcraft.

      Many who sit in church every Sunday carrying grudges and resentments are caught up in this deadly journey. They hear the message of hope and long for the blessings of God but refuse to loose their grip on the hurts that have defined them for so long. They stumble in the dark while trying to follow the light, snared by their own devices. Their joy and peace has been subverted and they cannot find it in them to come under the authority of those that have been placed in their lives as a covering. This ultimately leads them to even reject God who is our ultimate covering and authority.

      Instead they make up their own God that they can define and control. One that doesn’t require anything from them or lead them through the fire of refinement, and they cling to this false image stubbornly refusing the deliverance that God brings through obedience to His Word.

      Perhaps there is someone reading this that has been justifying their hurt. As the Holy Spirit has been reminding you of the one that you need to forgive and go be reconciled with you have once again tried to bury that Divine longing with human reasoning of the many times you have been wounded and hurt. Today you can begin a journey along a different path. One that will lead to restoration and healing, but only if you are willing to lay down those excuses and put away the hurts that have become a cherished part of your life. Don’t let them define you anymore. Instead be transformed by the love of God and learn to live.