God must surely be the most misunderstood Father. His angry outbursts and exacting punishments lead many to think of Him as an unforgiving taskmaster. His impossible standards and our human failings are considered to be a sure recipe for our ultimate annihilation. But, we grossly misunderstand our Father if we miss His mercy.
"Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the LORD'S commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?" (Deuteronomy 10:12-13)
Ultimately, He wants our whole heart, not our detached and mindless obedience. And, the obedience He desires is not for His vain personal gratification, but "for your good". Time and again, His commandments have been proven to be beneficial. Obedience to His commandments reap personal benefits.
We cannot read these words from Deuteronomy 10 without thinking of the timeless truth found in Micah 6:8 - "He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?" Practice godly justice. Passionately embrace kindness toward others. Humbly cultivate a vital relationship with your Father through His Son.
To be sure, God's holiness demands ultimate justice and judgment. It is perilous to minimize or dismiss coming judgment on the disobedient, but we are remiss if we let hellfire judgment overshadow His grace and mercy. Annihilation in the lake of fire is completely avoidable; those consigned to it can only blame themselves, not the God of mercy who patiently and richly offers an alternative.
My favorite passage concerning God's true feelings toward is is Psalm 103:8-11 - "The LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him."
May we be comforted and encouraged by these great words today.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
"Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the LORD'S commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?" (Deuteronomy 10:12-13)
Ultimately, He wants our whole heart, not our detached and mindless obedience. And, the obedience He desires is not for His vain personal gratification, but "for your good". Time and again, His commandments have been proven to be beneficial. Obedience to His commandments reap personal benefits.
We cannot read these words from Deuteronomy 10 without thinking of the timeless truth found in Micah 6:8 - "He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?" Practice godly justice. Passionately embrace kindness toward others. Humbly cultivate a vital relationship with your Father through His Son.
To be sure, God's holiness demands ultimate justice and judgment. It is perilous to minimize or dismiss coming judgment on the disobedient, but we are remiss if we let hellfire judgment overshadow His grace and mercy. Annihilation in the lake of fire is completely avoidable; those consigned to it can only blame themselves, not the God of mercy who patiently and richly offers an alternative.
My favorite passage concerning God's true feelings toward is is Psalm 103:8-11 - "The LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him."
May we be comforted and encouraged by these great words today.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
posted by steve @ 8:11 AM
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