Stubborn

2 Chronicles 30:8 (KJV) says, "Now be ye not stiff-necked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the Lord, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the Lord your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn from you."

If we are totally sold out to the Lord we will not see His wrath. Our Heavenly Father loved us so much that He sent Jesus to die for us. But if we are stiff-necked we allow the enemy to control us.

Hezekiah was a king dedicated to God and to the spiritual progress of the nation. He told them not to be stubborn but to submit to the Lord. His Holy Spirit must guide and renew every part of us.

Rather than letting God guide them step-by-step, they stubbornly leave God. God rather guide us with love and wisdom than allowing us to walk off without His protection. Accept God's written Word and don't let your stubbornness keep you from obeying God. (Psalm 32:9)

Lifting up the horn apparently described a stubborn animal who kept itself from entering a yoke by holding its head up as high as possible. It symbolizes insolence or rebellion. (Psalm 75:4) Disobedient and rebellious children were to be brought before the elders of the city and stoned to death. The point was that disobedience and rebellion were not to be tolerated in the home or allowed to continue unchecked. Firm guidance may be needed with strong consequences for disobedient. (Deuteronomy 21:18-20)

Proverbs 1:24 (KJV) says, "Because I have called, and ye refused: I have stretched out my hands, and no man regarded."

God is willing to pour out His heart and make known His thoughts for us. We must be willing to listen and refuse to let pride stand in the way. God deserves our respect.

Warnings rarely come with countdowns. When we refuse to consider God's valid criticism, we leave ourselves open to sudden disaster. Increasing obstinacies with an unreachable spirit. (Proverbs 29:1)

2 Kings 17:14 (KJV) says, "Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the necks of their fathers, that did not believe in the Lord their God."

The people took on the characteristics of the idols. Israel had forgotten the importance and benefits of obeying God’s Word. God will pursue us until we either respond to Him or, by our own choice and hardness of heart, make ourselves unreachable. God’s judgment is swift and sure. Turn back to God before your stubbornness puts you out of His reach.

God accepts nothing but honesty. Being dishonest will close the door to God. God tries to correct us but we refuse to hear Him and repent. (Jeremiah 5:3)

When we are on our own, the pressure to be drawn away from God increases. Determine to be faithful to God despite the difficult situations you encounter.(Judges 2:19)

Jeremiah 32:33 (KJV) says, "And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet the have not hearkened to receive instruction."

If all stubbornness is put away, a spirit of love and genuine concern for others will prevail. Stubbornness has no place in the Child of God.