“But the Israelites said to the Lord, “We have sinned. Do with us whatever you think best, but please rescue us now.” Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the Lord. And he could bear Israel’s misery no longer.”
What an amazing concept that “God could bear Israel’s misery no longer”. God had every right to be disgusted with Israel's’ adulterous betrayal. Who could blame Him if He let them suffer for rejecting Him? Yet their misery moved Him.
I am astonished at this aspect of God. The amazing grace of a holy God who suffers for the misery I bring upon myself – just because He loves me.
God loves you too. The things He has done to prove that are mind boggling. He did them, because it breaks His heart to see you in misery.… His plan for you is peace in the arms of your Father. You were never intended to fight your battles alone.
Aren’t you tired of your rebellion? Has it ever produced what you wanted it to?
God’s not some cosmic killjoy looking to punish you… He’s a loving Father patiently waiting to rescue you. He has already been wounded for your transgressions and bruised for your iniquities… your pain is His pain. Stop fighting battles that have already been won.
There’s only one place in scripture that describes the Father running… and that was when His prodigal Son returned … He ran to greet him. He will do the same for you, if you will just turn around. Don’t waste another day resisting the God who loves you.
Easter means we never have to ask God the question Jesus asked on the cross…” why has thou forsaken me?”... The answer to that question was your name and mine…Christ was forsaken for us… He has already borne the punishment for our wickedness so we will never have to.
The Crucifixion happened because God loves you and could bear your misery no longer … the resurrection proved Jesus was qualified to pay the debt that separated you from God and you never have to be separated again.
“We should be astonished at the goodness of God, stunned that He should bother to call us by name, our mouths wide open at His love, bewildered that at this very moment we are standing on holy ground.” ~ Brennan Manning
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