Found this devo this morn on Through the Bible Daily Devotionals. In short I didn't have time for my own study. (The couch which I have been sleeping on for the past few weeks was just far too comfortable. Lol!) Thought I'd share this one with you. Indeed, when we choose to stray from God, He has no choice but to let us. For He is a God who grants us free will. We are not puppets whereby He pulls our strings and we do His bidding. He calls us and lets us choose if we want to follow Him or not.

How gracious and blessed IS our God for restoring us to Himself when we repent and seek His presence. In truth, His well of mercy never dries nor is limited. How great is the love of our Lord toward us!

2 Chronicles 12:1,5 (NIV) 1After Rehoboam's position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the LORD...

5Then the prophet Shemaiah came to Rehoboam and to the leaders of Judah who had assembled in Jerusalem for fear of Shishak, and he said to them, "This is what the LORD says, 'You have abandoned me; therefore, I now abandon you to Shishak.'"

Rehoboam began with greed and immediately lost two-thirds of the nation. That did not humble him. He continued in his pride. After strengthening his army and defenses, he abandoned the law of the LORD. As the leader went, so went the nation. They followed his bad example in forsaking God.

An innumerable army, led by the king of Egypt, came against him and captured all the cities he had fortified and armed. One by one they fell. Then the prophet Shemaiah came and told Rehoboam that since they had abandoned God, God had abandoned them. Since they wanted to proceed without God, God allowed them to. What would our life be like without the protection of the hand of God? When a man or family or nation is walking in the fear of the LORD, they are surrounded by a protecting influence. You will never know all the things the LORD spared you from that the enemy planned against your life. That is why the end of the LORD's prayer says, "Deliver us from the evil one."

When we step outside of a trusting dependent relationship with God, that invisible hand of protection is lifted and the enemy is allowed in to bring us to our senses. It worked for Rehoboam. He and his leaders humbled themselves and said, "The LORD is just." Then God could have mercy on them and allowed Jerusalem to remain, though subjugated. All the treasure amassed in the temple was carried away by the enemy. Sin has consequences, and though we are allowed to continue and are restored relationally, there is a great loss because of our rebellion.

Consider: Draw near to God now so that He does not have to use tragedy to draw you back.