INTRODUCTION

Rebels will not enjoy the fulness of God’s blessings. God desires to make things right for those who have been harmed by the consequences of sin. He "setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains." He will be "a father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows" (Psalm 68:5A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
See All...), but He withholds blessings from those who have been rebellious to His will. Instead, they will "dwell in a dry land." Though this was no doubt intended as the literal withholding of rain, it bears a spiritual truth that rebels will miss out on the fulness of what God has for them. The Lord wants men to know His joy and His peace, but rebellion offers no such blessing.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) Jeremiah 17:5-8 [5] Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. [6] For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. [7] Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. [8] For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
  See All... tells us the difference in the way of life between those who rebel against God ("heart departeth from the Lord") and those who do not. Also read Deuteronomy 11:11-17 [11] But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven: [12] A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year. [13] And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, [14] That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil. [15] And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full. [16] Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; [17] And then the LORD's wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you.
  See All....
• Are you in the midst of a spiritual drought? Do you find yourself blaming others for the dry land in which you dwell? Is it possible the drought is due to rebellion in your heart?
• What does the Lord want from you? Have you been obedient to His known will for your life? Has rebellion caused you to miss out on some blessings?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Thank the Lord for showing you any rebellion in your heart.
• Ask God to help you enjoy His blessings.

HYMN

Springs of Living Water

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