Judges 10

So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the LORD. And His soul could no longer endure the misery of Israel. (Judges 10:16)

Are you able to see the important point being made here?

See, "His soul could no longer endure the misery of Israel." God's soul cannot bear to see us suffer. It's so... amazing to me. He will actually be hurt when He sees me in pain. This is one of the things that truly marvels me about God.

BUT. the important point here is the first sentence of that verse. "So they put away the foreign gods from among the and served the LORD." God's heart will beat for us yes, but only when we abide in Him. In other words, we are obeying Him, and doing things that are according to His will. It was only when Israel put away their foreign gods and turned back to God that God's heart also felt the pain that Israel felt.

God likes to see our repentant hearts. And when we are willing to surrender ourselves to God, God's abundant mercies and compassion can carry us through. And His heart, yes, even God's heart, will feel for us.

But when we refuse to do right, and turn away from serving the true God, His righteousness shall burn against our iniquities and consume us on the last day.

Therefore, may this serve as a eternal warning to us.

"Yet you have forsaken Me and served other gods. Therefore I will deliver you no more. (Judges 10:13)

I will deliver you no more. Imagine that this is the final words that Jesus says to you on that last day! Please, NO!

How many times then do we want to grieve the Lord? How many times do we need to be delivered before we truly understand the grace within?

God, let this always be in my heart: "Therefore I will deliver you no more." so that I will always be on my toes and be watchful of my ways.