God is generous in His grace but thorough in His discipline.
He disciplines, not to pay us back, but to win us back. Okay, so I stole two lines...but only because they mirror God's interactions with His people in Deuteronomy. :)
Remember - Israel rebelled - God had incredible blessings and peace ahead for them. However, all they could see were the obstacles.
He was going to show off His power - they couldn't get past their weaknesses.
He would supply their needs - they couldn't surrender their wants.
Israel forfeited what would've been the most awesome, mind blowing adventure for forty years of wandering in the wilderness. And boy, was it ever a wilderness.
I love Deuteronomy 2:7: "God knows you are going through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord Your God has been with you. You have lacked nothing."
Wow. God's grace is amazing.
Even though the Israelites were in the wilderness as a consequence of not trusting God, He still protected and cared for them.
Let me reiterate: God still extended grace, mercy, protection and love - the very things Israel refused to accept - because that is Who God is. He knows. He knows we are weak and frail. But He loves us as a perfect Father would love His children.
The author of Hebrews says it best: "The Lord disciplines the one he loves...Therefore life your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed."
You want healing? I sure as heck do. We have to do the hard work of repentance. Stop fighting God, realize where we have gone off track, figure out what needs to change, and do it.
See you on the other side.
No comments:
Post a Comment