God's judgement, God's love - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing,
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my heart and mind in Micah 3:3, 12-13,

"I am planning disaster against this people, from which you cannot
save yourselves. You will no longer walk proudly, for it will be a
time of calamity... I will surely gather all of you, Jacob; I will
surely bring together the remnant of Israel. I will bring them
together like sheep in a pen, like a flock in its pasture; the place
will throng with people. The One who breaks open the way will go up
before them; they will break through the gate and go out. Their King
will pass through before them, the Lord at their head."

The Lord pronounces judgement on his people, and nine verses later he
encourages them with his word of coming blessings from him. This is
just like the Lord. He effectively deals with the rebellion of his
people and then extends his loving kindness and blessings to them, as
he knows just how effective his judgement will be. He tells them of
the coming suffering their rebellion has brought, and of later
blessing their return to him will bring.

Here is yet again the two chief aspects of the Lord's nature on
display. Our God is a God of judgement and also a God of love. He
wants us to know these two things about him. He wants us to know of
the horrific nature of his judgement, as depicted as a "fiery lake of
burning sulfur", Revelation 21:8, as well as his incomprehensible love
for us all. His love is so profound that John simply says, "God is
love" twice in 1 John 4.

I am reminded of what the Lord said through Jeremiah 9:24, "Let the
one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to
know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and
righteousness on earth, for in these I delight." Both kindness as well
as justice and righteousness.

It is important for us all to know of these two aspects of God's
nature for us to understand our predicament as well as our opportunity
with him. Our predicament is that we have all sinned and face his
judgment. Our opportunity is that he sent his Son to die on that cross
to take our punishment for those sins on himself. All he asks is that
we embrace him in faith. As Jesus said in John 5:24, "Whoever hears my
word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be
judged but has crossed over from death to life."

How wonderful is that?!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to
hear from you!

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Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com