If you and I refuse to obey God, either He can abandon us and get somebody else to do the job, and we will lose the reward and blessing, or He can discipline us until we surrender to His will. Two examples come to mind. Since John Mark left the mission field and returned home (Acts 13:13; 15:36–41), God raised up Timothy to take his place (16:1–3). When Jonah ran from God, the Lord kept after him until he obeyed, even though he didn’t obey from his heart. When God isn’t permitted to rule, He overrules, and He always accomplishes His purposes.
