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 Lamentations 4:10-11,
"With their own hands compassionate women have cooked their own
children, who became their food when my people were destroyed. The
Lord has given full vent to his wrath; he has poured out his fierce
anger. He kindled a fire in Zion that consumed her foundations."
This shocking observation made by Jeremiah at the destruction of
Jerusalem points to the horrific nature of God's own wrath.
Through Jeremiah and other prophets, God warned Israel that if they
failed to turn from their rebellion against him, they would suffer his
wrath. And... suffer they did, horrifically!
I am often reminded of the observation of the writer of Hebrews, "It
is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Hebrews
10:31. The people of Jerusalem discovered just how dreadful it was.
It didn't have to be that way. They didn't have to turn their backs on
God - but they did. They could have returned back to God - but they
did not. Time and time again the Lord pleaded with them to turn back
to him and they refused.
I have heard it said on more than one occasion, "I just can't believe
a god of love could cast people into Hell. That "god" of theirs that
they speak of is no "god" at all. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
has made clear he is both loving and just. He loves people but he will
not tolerate sin. All sin must and will be paid for.
The wonderful news is that Jesus Christ has already paid for all the
sins of all mankind for all ages. We can have his payment credited to
our account with God if we would but embrace him in faith. "This is
how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into
the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we
loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning
sacrifice for our sins." 1 John 4:9-10. That sacrifice was the payment
we can have to our credit in God's courtroom as we stand before him
following this life. If we fail to avail ourselves of Jesus Christ's
payment for our sins, we will be cast into that lake of fire.
God is not to be trifled with. His love is boundless, beyond our
ability to fathom. And, at the same time, his justice is horrific.
Save yourself from God's wrath by embracing Jesus Christ in faith -
God's own Son he sent in his incomprehensible love for us. Don't be
like the Jews of Jeremiah's day. Heed the warning.
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!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send
me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are
receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just
respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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