KINDNESS AND WRATH
TEXT: DEUTERONOMY 28:58-68.
KEY VERSE “And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it” (DEUTERONOMY 28:63).
The story was told of a young lawyer whose client was charged with murder. He did all he could to clear his client and finally found some extenuating circumstances which he used to his client’s advantage. After much deliberations, the court found the defendant not guilty. And the lawyer had to warn him to steer clear of evil and cleave, henceforth, to God.
Years later, the man was again arraigned for murder. The lawyer who defended him at his first trial was now the judge at the bench. At the conclusion of the trial, he was found guilty and eventually hanged by the neck. The same God who is merciful to sinners today will judge them on the final day if they die in their sin.
The above illustration depicts the goodness and severity of our God.
In our text, Moses continued to emphasise the evil that would come upon the children of Israel should they fail to obey God’s word and fear His “glorious and fearful name.” The Lord would bring great plagues upon them that will linger for a long time. Although they were to be as the stars of heaven, in His wrath, they shall be reduced. He who showed them kindness and multiplied them will turn His back on them. He would bring innumerable destructions upon them, scatter them abroad and cause them to be sold as slaves to enemy nations. God has innumerable blessings for those who obey Him. If we remain obedient to His word, He promises to heal and make us prosper. But if we disobey Him, the plagues of Egypt will be nothing compared to the suffering He will subject us.
God’s judgements are severe against those who fail to repent; but His goodness is towards those who continue in His righteousness. Genuine repentance from sin and continued obedience to His word is the escape route from judgement. Make your decision today.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Wholehearted obedience to God naturally attracts His blessings!
BIBLE IN A YEAR: RUTH 3-4.
MEDITATION
Understanding the nature of God (Jeremiah 9:24)
- He is the God of righteousness
a. He gives clear information in His word as to what is absolutely right and wrong v58.
b. His laws are expression of His immutable holiness nature v58, Habakkuk 1:13.
c. Every iniquity is an expression of the nature of Satan and therefore no iniquity is small or big James 2:10.
d. Many will miss heaven, not because of committing many sins but because of a single sin Satan succeeds in deceiving them as “just a little sin” Revelations 21:27. - He is a God of justice
a. Every transgression has judgement(s) attached to it in this world and in eternity vv59-68.
b. In order to make forgiveness possible, the judgement on sin must be borne by a Sinless person.
c. He will by no means acquit the wicked Nahum 1:3.
d. The judgements are diverse and deadly affecting the emotions, economy, expectations (dreams and destiny), ego, health, etc. vv59-68.
e. It starts in a mild way and increases in intensity after repeated warning and eventually end up in finally in hell fire when there is no repentance Romans 1:18,21,24,26,28,32. - He is a God of love
a. He gives repeated warnings before He manifests His judgements vv58,59.
b. He sent His only Son to come and pay the penalty of justice on sin John 3:16.
c. There is no sin He will not forgive in as much as it is done with full repentance
I John 1:9, John 6:37.
d. He is willing to forgive infinitely many times as long as there is repentance and life Hebrews 8:12.
Note that this tripartite nature of the triune God is immutable, noncontradictory and uncompromisable Psalm 102:27, 2 Timothy 2:13.
Praise God for His love, righteousness and justice
Ask God for more revelation of His nature and the grace to be increasingly confirmed to His image
Ask God not to allow Satan to succeed in deceiving you into being comfortable in “just a little sin”
Pray for those Satan has successful deceived in the Church that the word of God will be effectual in delivering them
HYMN Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
2 Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
who wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.
3 Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,
only thou art holy; there is none beside thee
perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.
4 Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
