judgement as the mercy of God
How's that for a title? Before you scroll down or go back to a lighter post, hold on... because this is quite amazing.
I've been reading through 1 and 2 Kings again. AMAZING. There are so many stories of God's judgement on the nations and it is ALL because they chose other gods to worship and walked away from the statues and laws that God had laid out for his people. But it wasn't judgement for punishment's sake... it really wasn't. Judgement came "so that they will know that I AM THE LORD".
In Deuteronomy God lays out the whole law and he says to Israel; that if you follow these statutes you will not be afflicted by the diseases of the nations I will run out before you, I will bless the land, I will secure your families, and you will be my people and I will be your God. On the flip side he told them if you DO NOT do these things I will curse you with disease, the land will become desolate, your families will not live long, and your gods will be of no help to you.
His LONGING for us is one of blessing. He wants to bring all of us into a place of safety and peace. And yet "in Him there is NO darkness at all" and no darkness can be associated with Him. So when His people choose darkness... he HAS to respond.
And His response again is not punishment, but a longing to see HIS people restored to himself.
So I am realising that not all difficulties are a bad thing. Could it be that it is unto relationship with the Father? Could it be that He is calling me to deeper intimacy and the reality of HIS love for me? Could it be that it is to show me and others that HE IS GOD?
could be.
I've been reading through 1 and 2 Kings again. AMAZING. There are so many stories of God's judgement on the nations and it is ALL because they chose other gods to worship and walked away from the statues and laws that God had laid out for his people. But it wasn't judgement for punishment's sake... it really wasn't. Judgement came "so that they will know that I AM THE LORD".
In Deuteronomy God lays out the whole law and he says to Israel; that if you follow these statutes you will not be afflicted by the diseases of the nations I will run out before you, I will bless the land, I will secure your families, and you will be my people and I will be your God. On the flip side he told them if you DO NOT do these things I will curse you with disease, the land will become desolate, your families will not live long, and your gods will be of no help to you.
His LONGING for us is one of blessing. He wants to bring all of us into a place of safety and peace. And yet "in Him there is NO darkness at all" and no darkness can be associated with Him. So when His people choose darkness... he HAS to respond.
And His response again is not punishment, but a longing to see HIS people restored to himself.
So I am realising that not all difficulties are a bad thing. Could it be that it is unto relationship with the Father? Could it be that He is calling me to deeper intimacy and the reality of HIS love for me? Could it be that it is to show me and others that HE IS GOD?
could be.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home