Stubborn

I’ve been called before. It’s not always a negative term. There are times to dig in and not back up. It takes a big person to note that a mistake has been made. Stubborn is defined as: “having or showing dogged determination not to change one’s attitude or position on something – despite good arguments or reasons to do so”.  I still maintain that stubborn is not always bad. Stubborn sometimes reflects deep conviction and resolve.  It is not wise to be stubborn with the Lord. He is constantly trying to shape my heart like His. Hosea was dealing some strong words to the people of Israel – the epitome of stubborn. Check this out….

16 The people of Israel are stubborn


    like a stubborn young cow.


Now the Lord will feed them


    like lambs in the open country.

17 The Israelites have chosen to worship idols,


    so leave them alone.

18 When they finish their drinking,


    they completely give themselves to being prostitutes;


    they love these disgraceful ways.

19 They will be swept away as if by a whirlwind,


    and their sacrifices will bring them only shame. (Hosea 4:16-19 NCV)

I don’t want my heart to be stubborn before the Lord. I want my heart and my spirit to be moldable and shapeable by Him. He set’s the code of life, behavior and honor. I want to follow His playbook for living. I also believe that the Lord is stubborn in one sense – His love is stubborn for me. He doesn’t easily give up on me. He has taught me to be stubborn in love as well. It’s easy sometimes to “kick someone to the curb” who has wronged me or hurt me – but God encourages “stubborn love” This topic reminded me of song that I heard many years ago that blessed me then and it came to mind as I ponder the stubborn love of God.  Check this out….

Caught again, Your faithless friend

Don’t You ever tire of hearing what a fool I’ve been?

Guess I should pray but what can I say?

Oh, it hurts to know the hundred times I’ve caused You pain

 

Though ‘Forgive me’ sounds so empty when I never change

Yet You stay and say, “I love you still”

Forgiving me time and time again

 

It’s Your stubborn love that never lets go of me

I don’t understand how You can stay

Perfect love embracing the worst in me

How I long for Your stubborn love

 

Funny me, just couldn’t see

Even long before I knew You, You were loving me

Sometimes I cry, You must cry too

When You see the broken promises I’ve made to You

 

I keep saying that I’ll trust You though I seldom do

Yet You stay and say, “You love me still”

Knowing someday I’ll be like You

 

And Your stubborn love, it never lets go of me

I don’t understand how You can stay

Perfect love embracing the worst in me

How I long for Your stubborn love

 

It’s Your stubborn love that never lets go of me

I don’t understand how You can stay

Perfect love embracing the worst in me

And You never let me go, I believe I finally know

I can’t live without Your stubborn love

©1988? Kathy Troccoli (http://www.kathytroccoli.com)

I’m blown away by the “stubborn love” of God. I’m thankful that He has “dogged determination” to not give up easily on me. His Grace & Mercy are impossible to live without.  I need to be stubborn in my love for others because of God’s stubborn love for me!

Pressing On!

Dwayne