REFUSED
Today's reading: 2 Kings 14-16

"...He did what was evil in the Lord's sight. He refused to turn from the sins of idolatry..." 2 Kings 14:24 NLT

"...Zechariah did what was evil in the Lord's sight, as his ancestors had done. He refused to turn from the sins of idolatry..." 2 Kings 15:9 NLT

"But Menahem did what was evil in the Lord's sight. During his entire reign, he refused to turn from the sins of idolatry..." 2 Kings 15:18 NLT

"But Pekahiah did what was evil in the Lord's sight. He refused to turn from the sins of idolatry..." 2 Kings 15:24 NLT

But Pekah did what was evil in the Lord's sight. He refused to turn from the sins of idolatry..." 2 Kings 15:28 NLT

Am I the only one seeing a pattern in today's Scripture reading?

Generation after generation refused to turn from sin, the same sins their predecessors lost their lives and their reigns to.

Why would anyone do that? Did they not have counsel that might give them better advice? Friends who would direct them down different paths? Loved ones that might put before them the simple fact that 'something wasn't working' and needed changed?

Why do we do that?

Why do we continue in some sins? The sins we have carried around with us for years? Fallen victim to for most of our lives? Trip up and commit almost daily?

Why do we refuse to turn?

Too hard?

Too much effort required?

Too afraid of the change it will bring about?

Too defeated to try again?

Too much of that sin defining us?

Too embarrassed to ask for help in breaking the strongholds? Praying it through? Seeking to make amends?

Or is it that we think the sin no longer effects us?

Okay, is it one you want passed on to your child/children/next generation?

If you could stop it now for them, would you?