When we say that we believe in something, then we will have to stand by what we say.
Even when our convictions are challenged, we can only prove our belief when we stay on what we believe.
And when we say that we believe in God, then we will have to put our trust in Him even when our convictions are challenged.
To say that we believe in God and yet we do not trust in Him or do things that displeases Him is an embarrassing contradiction and an outright insult to God.
In the 1st reading, the people did what displeased God and they even served other idols.
The Lord's anger flamed out against His people. In every warlike venture, the hand of the Lord was there to foil them, as the Lord had warned, as the Lord had sworn to them. Thus the Lord reduced them to dire distress.
Although we admit that we have sinned against the Lord, yet the Lord is merciful and He forgives our sins.
But when the Lord God ask us to do His will, do we trust Him enough to let go of ourselves and to let God lead us along His ways?
When the rich young man heard what Jesus said to him, he went away sad, for he was a man of great wealth.
If we say that we believe in God, then let us submit our lives into His hands.
It would certainly be better to be in the hands of God than to live our lives in sadness.