Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation. – Judges 10:14.
A severe sarcasm from the Lord to apostate professors. It causes a hell upon earth to a renewed soul, to hear and feel just upbraidings from the Lord of heaven: this is one of his severest chastisings to his children. Here is an awful charge and a severe reproof; the Lord keep us clear of the one, that we fall not under the other.
Consider the charge; it is idolatry: they had gods of their own choosing. For the Lord's sake, and for our souls' sake, let us not think that we are in no danger of falling into this sin: it is committed by professors every day; aged Paul wept over such; though they professed Christ, yet they were enemies to his cross; their flesh was their God; their hearts were set upon earthly things. Phil. 3:19. Such are not content with Christ as their portion, to live in fellowship with him, to walk in love and obedience before him, and to derive all their comfort and happiness from him: the lusts of the flesh they gratify; earthly things have their hearts: thus they depart from the Lord and fall into idolatry against him. O what a most heinous crime is this! How much practised! How little thought of, deplored and deprecated! Christians, where are your hearts? Who has your affections-God, the flesh, or the world? If not God, depend on it you will soon, very soon hear from him in such a way as will be awfully distressing.
Consider the reproof: a day of tribulation will come; When sorrow and distress seize on your minds, there God is a blessed refuge; but Oh, then to think, alas! I have forsaken the Lord, have preferred other lovers to him; chosen other gods beside him; the world has had my heart and my hope; I have lived to the flesh, I have minded earthly things, and indulged covetous desires.
Well, says one; but I read, notwithstanding all this, "the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, saying, we have forsaken our God and served idols." Judges 10:10. Ah! but mind the Lord's cutting answer, "Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you." A severer reproof is scarcely to be found in the Bible. O lay it to heart: deeply consider its import; for, even though you may be accepted in Christ, yet he hates your conduct, and will make you smart for it in your conscience. It is said," the Lord's soul was grieved for the misery " of his children. Judges 10:16. But O consider the great misery they must feel to grieve the soul of the Lord: what a compassionate Saviour is ours, "in all our afflictions he is afflicted." Isaiah 63:9.