You Cannot Oppose God and Prosper
If you return to the Almighty, you shall be built up, if you put away unrighteousness far from your tents. — Job 22:23
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. — 2 Timothy 2:19
Author
Charles Spurgeon
Summary: If sin, foolishness, and rebellion have left us downcast, impoverished, or broken, we must return to the Lord with deep repentance and sincere faith. Returning is our duty, our wisdom, and our immediate need: we have turned away from the One whom we professed to serve, we cannot oppose Him and prosper, and His power to punish is far greater than what we have already suffered. Yet His promise invites us to trust: the Almighty can rebuild our condition, raise up its fallen pillars, and restore its tottering walls. We must not delay; rebellion may further unsettle the mind, while sincere confession brings relief and humble faith brings comfort.
Reader, has sin brought you low? Have you become a ruin? Has the hand of the Lord gone out against you, so that you are impoverished in possessions and broken in spirit? Was it your own foolishness that brought all this devastation upon you? Then the first thing to do is return to the Lord. With deep repentance and sincere faith, find your way back from your rebellion. It is your duty, for you have turned away from Him whom you professed to serve. It is wisdom, for you cannot oppose Him and prosper. It is your immediate necessity, for what He has done is nothing compared with what He could do by way of punishment, for He is almighty to punish.
Consider the promise that beckons you! You will be “built up.” None but the Almighty can raise the fallen pillars and restore the tottering walls of your condition; but He can do it, and He will if you return to Him. Do not delay. Your troubled mind might fail you if you continue to rebel; but sincere confession will bring you relief, and humble faith will comfort you. Do this, and all will be well.
Source: http://www.spurgeon.com.mx/chequera/meditames/febrero.pdf
Faith’s Checkbook. Translated by Allan Román.