Miracle Moment

“The Lord said to Joshua, ‘Do not be afraid of them, for I have handed them over to you. Not one of them will be able to stand against you.’ So Joshua caught them by surprise, after marching all night from Gilgal. The Lord threw them into confusion before Israel. He defeated them in a great slaughter at Gibeon, chased them through the ascent of Beth-horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah. As they fled before Israel, the Lord threw large hailstones on them from the sky along the descent of Beth-horon all the way to Azekah, and they died. More of them died from the hail than the Israelites killed with the sword.” (Joshua 10:8-11)

I know we hear a lot about God’s love and longsuffering, but there is a flip side to that. God is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5), a God of vengeance (Romans 12:19), a God of war (I Chronicles 5:22). Folks spend a lot of time these days burying these facts and glossing over scriptures that reveal these things about Him. Truth is God is awesome, powerful and just and He is simply no one to play with. Some see Him as a weak, impotent man hanging on a tree not realizing that He laid His life down for people and had the power to pick it back up. Many take advantage of His mercy and grace. There isn’t enough reverence for God. Some people dismiss Him like a fairytale. I’m convinced they are not fully understanding the implication of their decision. Some people know full well the warring side of God and can’t see His love so they dismiss Him as well, stating, “I could never serve a God like that!”

Let me interject right quick. All of these “holy wars” and political wars are not God. God’s mission is to save the world. He is giving us an opportunity to know Him, but He has gone to war and empowered people to fight against wickedness and there will be a day of vengeance coming to those who oppose Him by operating in that realm of evil. I’m attempting to give balance because I don’t want people to think God is roaming around like a bully. He is meek. He could wipe us all out in one breath, yet He chooses to give us life. A life in which we are free to make our own choices. Just know there will come a day of reckoning when we will give an account for all of deeds, whether good or bad. Have you allowed Jesus to cover your bad?

Let me reiterate, all of the nations God allowed to be destroyed were evil and perverse. Many placed their children on searing altars before their gods. Many had sexual prostitution incorporated into their worship. Many were oppressors of people. Yes, God is a God of justice and righteousness. Truth be told, if it were not for His grace given through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ not a one of us would be able to stand before Him. At our core we are all selfish and lost. That is why it is so urgent we encourage people to receive what Jesus did for us.

The blood of Jesus (who is God in the flesh) soothed a Holy God and redeemed a lost, ignorant people. God is not flippant, as I said before, wicked people invoke His wrath and judgment, but He is so good that He made a way of escape for us. God’s greatest effort to save mankind has been through Jesus Christ, His son. He sent a part of Himself as a sacrifice to satisfy His wrath. I don’t understand all of the details about why it had to be that way. I just know that if we will trust Him and put our faith in what Jesus did for us, then one day it will all make sense. Until that time, we need to do our best to reach the world with this message. They will not only experience an eternity in heaven, but they will be liberated in this world as well. Let’s stop apologizing for God and let Him be who He is.

PRAYER:

Lord, that’s a lot to take in about You. I’m fearful, but at the same time I feel comforted because I see You have gone out of Your way to pave a path for me through Jesus. I lift all of the lost souls before You and pray You will send laborers into their path to share truth with them. I pray for souls to be saved. Open the eyes of their understanding Father and let them see You truly are a loving, kind, long-suffering God that has made a way of escape for us all. In the name of Your precious son Jesus I pray, amen.