Good morning, Lord

Deuteronomy 28

20 The Lord will send on you curses, confusion and rebuke in everything you put your hand to, until you are destroyed and come to sudden ruin because of the evil you have done in forsaking him. 

28 The Lord will afflict you with madness, blindness and confusion of mind. 

34 The sights you see will drive you mad.

65 Among those nations you will find no repose, no resting place for the sole of your foot. There the Lord will give you an anxious mind, eyes weary with longing, and a despairing heart. 

66 You will live in constant suspense, filled with dread both night and day, never sure of your life.

Deuteronomy 28 contains 14 verses of blessings for obedience, then 54 verses of what would happen to the Israelites if they were disobedient. It was clear the Lord wanted to bless them but he also made it abundantly clear there were serious and significant consequences for disobedience.

While answering questions in Multiply, it dawned on me how often in verses 15 through 68 the curses were internal, the exact polar opposite of the peace that passes understanding. Sure, there were plenty of promises of cursing of crops and livestock and even family members and homes, but these verses really hit me because they are so internal, so inescapable. Self-inflicted mental anguish, brought on by sin and disobedience. Wow.

Good morning, Lord, God help us, we are just as sin prone and worthy of cursing as the Israelites were, please help us see where we are disobedient and be honest with You and deal with it in godly and healthy ways. Please forgive us, please help us by delivering us from evil. Amen.