His child

I am amazed by how often I find myself to be like Israel in the Old Testament. The Lord says do this and for a while I listen and obey, but then I look elsewhere and get distracted. Before I know it, my heart is not set as firmly in the confidence I once had in His promises. He seems distant even though I'm the one who moved. I question things that I know to be true and excuse things I know to be wrong. I am quite simply Israel. Instead of staying under the shadow of the Almighty, I find myself up on the high places offering my sacrifices to another. Then comes His love in a very powerful way. Just as He wouldn't allow Israel to defile His name by their constant sins, He doesn't allow me to defile it either. His love comes through compassionate loving correction. Painful, uncomfortable correction. Sometimes He may use a friend or possibly a message from a pastor. Other times it's something from Him in His Word or sometimes one of my own children reminding me of something from there, that one is usually a real stinger when they point something out! Sometimes it's the silence from me separating myself from Him that is too unbearable that has me, the prodigal, running to His everlasting arms. However it happens, it's the picture of mercy. He hasn't cut me off instead He loves me enough to keep me from destruction so He intervenes before I jump over a cliff that I can't even see is before me. In Psalm 91, I'm encouraged to know that I can dwell in His secret place while I abide under His shadow. With me, I have to remember to stay under His shadow and not wander. When I stay close to Him, dedicated to following His way, I'm secure in my mind and every other way. He offers me so much protection and comfort. I know it's true because He tells me all that He offers me in that Psalm, but I also know from experience. I've lived it and found it to be true. I hope as I age my times of correction will be fewer. I'd like to know I learned something from reading about the trials and correction of Israel and Judah from the Old Testament.