Observation: As the psalmist laments the downfall of Israel by giving the reasons God turned away from them, he also provides this insight into exactly how God turned away from Israel ... he simply allowed them to pursue their own ways. God didn't attack or kill or destroy Israel, but rather he let them as a people do whatever they wanted to do, knowing that such a path leads to violence and destruction.
This played out in the book of 2 Kings, as Israel tries many ways to establish their own strength. As a nation, they ally with Egypt and Syria, and rebel against Assyria. As the people of God, they worship many gods, maintain shrines to concepts like fertility, and observe practices that are not ordained by the Lord. And God just sits back and watches as Assyria captures the entire nation. Assyria doesn't just send Israel into exile, he re-settles the land with foreigners, then gives them a corrupt version of faith that is a similar blend of worshipping Yahweh plus all the other gods combined.
Application: This is how God "curses" people ... by simply allowing them to pursue their flawed agendas. People pursuing their own goals creates conflict, and it is earthly conflict that brings true sorrow.
Our world - and especially our nation right now - has nothing but conflict. Even "good" ideals are pursued through conflicts, be they word or action. Everyone tells everyone else what they should think, what they should do, how they should feel, and why they should change, and none of these messages have anything to do with ... what the Lord has told us to think, do, and feel.
I desire to pursue the Lord's ways, but part of that must also include setting aside my own desires. I must avoid my own blind and stubborn way. If I put God first, he will in fact guide me instead of allowing me to walk in that way. All I am to do is take his hand and walk with him.
Prayer: Lord, I do wish that everyone in our nation desired to pursue you first. I know this won't happen. Therefore, I will focus on my own heart. Please keep my heart soft, seeking your will daily, desiring a relationship with you, and worshipping only you in my life. I never want autonomy. May I walk with you, on your path, this day and every day. Amen.
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