AMPLIFIED BY ADVERSITY

Now in the time of his distress King Ahaz became increasingly unfaithful to the Lord.

(2 Chronicles 28:22, NKJV)

Because Ahaz led his nation into idolatry, God allowed him to be defeated by several of his enemies. Instead of repenting of the sin which caused the situation, Ahaz sinned even more. The escalation of evil brought even more trouble upon him and the nation.

Adversity amplifies the condition of the heart.

It is easier to mask our attitudes when things are going well. But when we are under stress, we are more likely to lose our cool and let our true feelings out. In fact, it is the worst of our attitudes that appear when we are under stress. Often, if we are prone to some particular vice, adversity will drive us deeper into it. But it is those very vices which bring added stress into our lives. It becomes a very negative cycle.

Adversity reveals and amplifies the true condition of our hearts. What has adversity revealed about your heart?

Does adversity drive you away from God, or draw you to Him?

The only way to break the cycle is to repent and turn to God for forgiveness and cleansing. On our own, we will go deeper into darkness. God can bring us into the light.

Will you run AWAY from God, or run TO Him?