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 Psalm 78:34-35,
"Whenever God slew them [God's people Israel], they would seek him; they eagerly turned to him again. They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer."
"Whenever God slew them [God's people Israel], they would seek him; they eagerly turned to him again. They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer."
Here is an interesting reality. In our sinful nature, it appears the times we suffer most is when we turn to God. It was certainly true for Israel and I firmly believe it is true for us today. Even for believers. The writer of Hebrews, in chapter twelve, tells us we all are "disciplined" by God in a way that is difficult and painful for us so that we might be drawn to him and share in his holiness.
God created a special people for himself, Israel, to bring his Son into the world to provide redemption for all mankind that we might receive forgiveness, avoid his judgment of us for our sins, and share an eternal life of bliss with him. In order to use his people for that purpose he worked with them in their collective expression of rebellion toward him to shape them into what he wanted them to be when Jesus Christ was born.
A key tool he used was to bring suffering among them to draw their attention back to him - even to the point of putting many of them to death at times. We see this throughout Israel's history.
It seems many today have created their own image of what God is like. I suspect it is the few who are aware that when we desire to see God move among people, it isn't "fairy dust" he sprinkles to bring about a great awakening. It is quite something else - and often dreadful but always needful.
A blog with my ruminations over the years can be found here: http://worshipfortoday.blogspot.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 reply and let me know.
A blog with my ruminations over the years can be found here: http://worshipfortoday.blogspot.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 reply and let me know.
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