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 1 Samuel 14:6,
"Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few."
These words, spoken by Jonathon, referred to his trust in God, that if it be God's desire to save, nothing could prevent it. Jonathon was speaking in terms of military victory, but it brings to my mind another kind of "saving".
All mankind, each and every one of us, is condemned to spend eternity under God's judgment, in what the Scriptures liken to a "fiery lake of burning sulfur", Revelation 21:8. The cause for this judgment from God is that each and every one of us is born a sinner as we are all the offspring of a sinful and rebellious race of people. Additionally, whether we accept it or not, each and every one of us have sinned. "There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..." Romans 3:23.
But, surely, not the little children! Listen to David's words, "Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies. Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears, that will not heed the tune of the charmer, however skillful the enchanter may be." Psalm 58:3-5. Here is his son, Solomon's words, "Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright?"
"Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few."
These words, spoken by Jonathon, referred to his trust in God, that if it be God's desire to save, nothing could prevent it. Jonathon was speaking in terms of military victory, but it brings to my mind another kind of "saving".
All mankind, each and every one of us, is condemned to spend eternity under God's judgment, in what the Scriptures liken to a "fiery lake of burning sulfur", Revelation 21:8. The cause for this judgment from God is that each and every one of us is born a sinner as we are all the offspring of a sinful and rebellious race of people. Additionally, whether we accept it or not, each and every one of us have sinned. "There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..." Romans 3:23.
But, surely, not the little children! Listen to David's words, "Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies. Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears, that will not heed the tune of the charmer, however skillful the enchanter may be." Psalm 58:3-5. Here is his son, Solomon's words, "Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright?"
We are all sinful, and as our God is just and fair, we are assured he will do right by those who have been denied a wonderful opportunity he has provides us to be saved by him. (Think the aborted, those born with severe cerebral palsy and the like.)
However, for the rest of us, God has made a way. A way to be saved from his own judgment of us for our sinful condition. In his unfathomable love for us he has made a way that provides us entry into his family with a standing of holiness and righteousness in his presence. In his love he sent his Son, Jesus Christ to die on that miserable cross to pay the penalty for our sins that we not have to spend an eternity in that fiery lake of burning sulfur. His voluntary death on our behalf is credited to our account in the courtroom of God for our sins and our sinful condition. However, although that payment is good for all the sins of all mankind for all time, that deposit of payment for our sins is only made if we embrace Jesus Christ in faith. He leaves the choice to us. Some of us have appropriated his forgiveness while others have rejected it.
It is God's desire, and nothing can hinder him from saving!
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
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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