"A Real Relationship"

"Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance." (Psalms 106:40)

 What harm can it do, is more than merely a question we should consider; when it comes to our relationship with God, there is nothing hidden from His sight, there is nothing we do that He does not see and hold us accountable for. Accountability is the meter or standard by which God will judge everyone. When we have a real relationship with the Living God, we are held to a higher standard when it comes to accountability. It is just a fact or the proof of the relationship; much like any real relationship that we might have with anyone, the closer we are, the more honest and committed we are to loyalty in that relationship. Don't think for a moment that God had disowned His people; that is not what this text is putting forth. God will never stop loving us! It might seem like it is so, but He never is the one who changes; we are the ones who change in the relationship, not Him. There is the biggest difference between a relationship that we have with each other and the relationship that we have with God, He does not change! There is absolutely no comparison between how we treat each other and how God treats us. When we get angry with each other, we look to get even; when God gets angry with us, He looks for a way to gain our attention and trust. Sadly enough, to get our attention and trust usually requires taking us out of our comfortable lifestyle or causing us to cry out for His help. That is what a real relationship should look like; where the person that gets offended by the other, does not look to repay the offense, but instead looks for a way to forgive the other person by making them uncomfortable by what they have done. You know how that works? It's called love! If someone you love and care for offends you by their actions, you love them back; if they offend you again, you love them back more; the more and more they disrespect your love for them, the more you continue to pour out your love. Soon enough, they are no longer comfortable in the way that they have treated you, and you have won their heart. Is that how God's wrath works? I guess it all depends upon your relationship with God...

""But as soon as they were at peace, your people again committed evil in your sight, and once more you let their enemies conquer them. Yet whenever the people turned and cried to you again for help, you listened once more from heaven. In your wonderful mercy, you rescued them many times! "You warned them to return to your law, but they became proud and obstinate and disobeyed your commands. They did not follow your regulations, by which people will find life if only they obey. They stubbornly turned their backs on you and refused to listen. In your love, you were patient with them for many years. You sent your Spirit, who warned them through the prophets. But still they wouldn't listen! So once again you allowed the peoples of the land to conquer them. But in your great mercy, you did not destroy them completely or abandon them forever. What a gracious and merciful God you are!"" (Nehemiah 9:28-31) NLT