He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love kindness and mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 AMPC
As it has always been said, let it be said again now: God will punish sin, no matter in whom it is found. God has no favourites when it comes to sin, and the price He paid: the life of His Son, shows the extent of his hatred for sin, and why He does not want anyone to perish. The price has been paid, and the gift remains. How I respond to Him then becomes my personal choice, and my eternal reality.
God warned Israel about disobeying Him. He told them what the dire consequences will be, but they still went ahead and rebelled. He punished them, but His mercy just would not let go. In that is the warning: why do I not learn until hurt and punishment come? Why do I not learn in quiet surrender? With all the words and lessons in the Bible, why do I think they do not apply to me?
I cannot plead ignorance, because God's Word clearly spells out what His will and purpose are. I cannot claim not to know what God loves or hates, because His preferences are made quite clear from the Bible. God leaves no one in doubt as to the consequences of actions, and that is the emphasis of today's extract. No matter the generation or the pressure, God does not bend His will to suit our preferences. We are the ones who must live up to His standards or live with the consequences of our rebellion.
As I read the words here, I realise something very quickly: my first priority is to God, and my walk with Him, before it becomes a public affirmation. I can't do justice if I don't first know what is just. I can't love kindness and mercy, if I have not first experienced the love of God and known what it is like to enjoy His mercy. How do I remain humble if I do not understand the might and power of God, and my own smallness? How do I impact this world if God has not first impacted my heart?
Priorities matter. If I don't get it right, I can't do right by God. If I am busy with the wrong things, it won't matter the quality of the applause I get. If I am not in the centre of His will, it won't matter how focused I am on my present assignment. Guess the question then remains: have I found out what God wants me to be and do? Is that what I am pursuing at the moment? Have I found out what God wants to show me? My pursuit must reflect my understanding of who God is and what He wants for my life. Anything else is a waste of time. His time of favour is here.
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