This God!

This God!

Know, recognize, and understand therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, Who keeps covenant and steadfast love and mercy with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations. Deuteronomy 7:9 AMPC

The image of God that we love to speak about is one of amazing love. Indeed He is, but that is not always the complete or total picture. We know Him as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, but we are also now introduced to the same God who commanded His people Israel to utterly destroy the people of the nations in the land they were going to possess. Israel was to make no covenant with them, or show mercy to them. They were not to make marriages with them too. Reflect on this: the same God who made these people was willing to let them go down this way because of Israel. God really deserves to be studied; He is not one to be trifled with. 

Two linked reasons are given for these instructions: the first is that the people in these nations will turn the hearts of Israel from following God to serve idols. The second is that God's holy people cannot afford such distractions. For a God who jealously defends His name, be sure that He will punish any act of rebellion. If God had moved in a mighy way to secure a land for you, and you turn around and give your heart to another god, then God is within His right to punish such rebellion. This is NOT a God who can be worshiped alongside any other authority. If He does not take the whole of my heart, then He really does not have any of my heart. How much of me does God hold?

Before we think that Israel must have bribed God, the same chapter from where the verse above is taken states clearly that God did not set His love on Israel because they were more in number, but sinply because of the covenant He made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It was the walk of faith of other people that gsve Israel this special status with God. Who says that anything we do for and with God is a waste of time? Who says God does not see our hearts or examine our thoughts? He is not a God we can deceive with empty devotion; He cannot be mocked. One man's faithfulness led to a whole nation's favour. What steps do I need to take today to secure such favour too?

The above is the background to our focus today. In light of all you have read above, it is important to note that this God is faithful. He does not forget those who walk with Him in truth. He does not renege on a covenant. He stakes His name and reputation on whatever promise He makes. It is a personal encounter with Him that will help me is know, recognize and understand this God. What worked well yesterday may no longer be relevant today, but with God, you find consistency. Aa He did with Abraham, He is able to hold the same standard for a thousand generations. Still the same God seeking men who will give Him the whole heart. Can He count on me? God’s time of favour is here.