Psalm 73:9 English Standard Version (ESV) They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth.

Denial is an emotion that resists authority.

It is different from rebellion because it never accepted the rule of anyone except self. If no God exists, then they are not subject to His nature. They celebrate their independence with pride birthed by the god of self.

Key to rebellion is the awareness of authority.

Deuteronomy 31:27 English Standard Version (ESV) For I know how rebellious and stubborn you are. Behold, even today while I am yet alive with you, you have been rebellious against the Lord. How much more after my death!

Moses being a foreshadowing of Christ makes one very poignant statement which points to the Cross of Christ.

“How much more after my death!”

To deny His authority over us after accepting Him by faith is denial of the love that constrains us. That love abides in us and rebellion is not possible, it cannot happen. That would break our hearts and self-preservation is an instinct as old as life eternal.

We must understand that doubt is an emotion of the mind and not rebellion of the heart.

Over the years two types of believers have sought counsel. Both had doubts.

The first received answers to their prayers and things did not work out as expected. That was because those individuals told God what they wanted rather than asking God what God wanted for them. God gives great gifts, He is not a wishing well.

The second wants confirmation of what they were hearing. They are confirmed by a word that says, “Do this and God will bless you.” They see what God is asking as too much for them and are looking for a different opinion. Godly counsel is not an exit strategy. They know what is expected and missed out on the blessings by choosing not to answer His call.

Knowing what is right does not mean we will choose it.

Psalm 73:8 English Standard Version (ESV) They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression.

Scoffing is an emotional response.

Habakkuk 1:10 English Standard Version (ESV) At kings they scoff, and at rulers they laugh. They laugh at every fortress, for they pile up earth and take it.

All we have to do is watch what is being pushed on us by the press, by legislators, and by the people in the streets to realize the Word of God has warned us of things to come.

2 Timothy 3:1-4 English Standard Version

Godlessness in the Last Days

¹ But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 

² For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 

³ heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 

⁴ treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

Do not fall into the trap of believing these are the last days because generation after generation before us swore they were in the last days and they were wrong. Those feelings are emotional responses based on two things. One is judging the world and the second is an earnest desire to be with our Lord.

We are not done and He is not done. The way I know that is because we are still here.

I am as tired of the scoffers as anyone but we must remember that as long as we are here we must not allow the times and troubles to dictate our emotions.

Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of our faith and He is not done.

The scoffers only prove there is more to be done for Christ to achieve His goal.

His bride will not be presented to the Groom by the Father until we are complete, prepared, and submissive.

2 Timothy 3:5 English Standard Version (ESV) having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

His righteousness in us is the stronghold the scoffers cannot assail or bring down.