Ps
107:43 (ESV) Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;
let
them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.
NOTE: Of course,
this passage is from the OT and so encapsulates the teaching of the law which
was a covenant where there was a direct connection between disobedience and
suffering. And not suffering and disobedience, because the book of Job suggests
that the connection only goes in the one direction. In other words not all
suffering is the result of disobedience, but disobedience and suffering at the
same time are related, disobedience does result in suffering. Deut 29 (I think)
draws out this linkage very clearly. But, this is the old covenant and not the
new covenant today. The old covenant was nailed to the cross; and the old
covenant is no longer valid when a new high Priest serves (Heb 9-10). But
principles do not necessarily disappear, and Proverbs support the proposition
that certain behaviors can result in suffering as a "general" rule
(as opposed to a promise). This Psalm shows that over and over again that
disobedience can result in suffering. And that, if the person will repent and
call out to the Lord, God delivers the person from the suffering that is a
result of disobedience. We still call out to God today and God still answers
prayer, so all of these principles still generally stand. In any case, even if
it is not a promise today, we should turn from disobedience because there are
natural consequences to our failure to obey.
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