People who claim that the God of the Bible (especially in the Old Testament) was a cruel, judging god don't know what they're talking about. Time and time again I am overwhelmed by the amazing love of God so frequently portrayed in the Scriptures. Just today I was reading Psalm 81 and was once again reminded of this fact.
"I [God speaking] removed his shoulder from the burden;
his hands were freed from the baskets.
You called in trouble, and I delivered you;
I answered you in the secret place of thunder;
I tested you at the waters of Meribah.
Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you!
O Israel, if you will listen to Me!
There shall be no foreign god among you;
nor shall you worship any foreign god.
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt;
Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
But My people would not heed my voice, and Israel would have none of Me. "
The rest of this psalm is God pleading with His people to follow Him, to listen to His voice, to walk in His ways. We hear similar pleads from God in Isaiah 44:21-22, Jeremiah 11:7-8, Hosea 11 and 14, Joel 2:12-13, Micah 6:3-4, and so many other places! The whole Scripture is a love letter from God to His creation. He wants us not just to obey Him but to love Him back.
There are now two questions we must ask ourselves:
1. Do I love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength because He is worthy?
2. Do I show the love that God has for me to those all around me?
We must ponder these things every day and hide them in our heart as Mary did. Our goal at the end of every day should be to look more like Christ than at the beginning of the day. Thankfully we're not alone in this endevour for Jesus has sent us the Helper (Holy Spirit) to encourage, strengthen, and guide us on the narrow way.
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praisworthy- meditate of these things."
Philippians 4:8
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
"I [God speaking] removed his shoulder from the burden;
his hands were freed from the baskets.
You called in trouble, and I delivered you;
I answered you in the secret place of thunder;
I tested you at the waters of Meribah.
Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you!
O Israel, if you will listen to Me!
There shall be no foreign god among you;
nor shall you worship any foreign god.
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt;
Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
But My people would not heed my voice, and Israel would have none of Me. "
The rest of this psalm is God pleading with His people to follow Him, to listen to His voice, to walk in His ways. We hear similar pleads from God in Isaiah 44:21-22, Jeremiah 11:7-8, Hosea 11 and 14, Joel 2:12-13, Micah 6:3-4, and so many other places! The whole Scripture is a love letter from God to His creation. He wants us not just to obey Him but to love Him back.
There are now two questions we must ask ourselves:
1. Do I love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength because He is worthy?
2. Do I show the love that God has for me to those all around me?
We must ponder these things every day and hide them in our heart as Mary did. Our goal at the end of every day should be to look more like Christ than at the beginning of the day. Thankfully we're not alone in this endevour for Jesus has sent us the Helper (Holy Spirit) to encourage, strengthen, and guide us on the narrow way.
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praisworthy- meditate of these things."
Philippians 4:8
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
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