Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?

Chapter 32: Pages 448-466, Lamentations 3

Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come? Lamentations 3:37-38

This morning, I continued John Piper's book Providence (purchased from Amazon Kindle Store) with Part 3 "The Nature and Extent of Providence", moving to Section 6 "Providence Over Sin" - moving to chapter thirty-two "Though He Cause Grief, He Will Have Compassion".

Here, Piper explores God's providence over suffering, including how He orchestrates evil.  He looks at Israel's time in captivity in the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and uses Isaiah 45:1-7 to remind us that God holds "absolute sway over good and evil is part of what it means to be God.....The God of Israel is behind everything....[God] is not just...manager, but [He]...decides (like a creator) all that is there to manage."  Amos 3:2,6 is another example provided by Piper.   Here, God orchestrates "thousands of human decisions which are in the sway of God's providence, accomplishing his purposes of just punishment."

Most strikingly, Piper uses Jeremiah and his authorship of Lamentations - specifically Lamentations 3 - to demonstrate his sway over evil. 

Piper points us to hope in the amidst of punishment and suffering - using Lamentations 3:19-26:

I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:19-26

Piper points us to this hope to see how "every morning, during the worst of horrors God's mercies are newly present." He also points us to Paul (2 Corinthians 1:8-9) to ensure we rely not on ourselves but on God.

He wraps up the chapter by leaving us with Lamentations 3:31-33 to ensure we know that "God's steadfast love will have the last word....some of God's acts are means to the ends that are ultimately aimed at and more heartily desired as the final end. The means affliction and grief are exactly what God wills for that time and situation. They are perfect as means.  And, as perfect, they are perfectly approved by God's perfect mind." 

For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone. Lamentations 3:31-33

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know Your ways and perfect, including Your sovereignty over evil and suffering that is present in my life.  I know You love me. Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving for the love and mercy You pour out for me.  I worry and I have other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’ I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’; and they will say, ‘You are my God.’”

Hosea 1-3 

I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’ I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’; and they will say, ‘You are my God.’” Hosea 2:23

  

Day 167 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with a study of Hosea, a prophet whom God calls to marry a promiscuous woman (Gomer), as this experience is used as an analogy for how Israel sought foreign gods rather than God (Hosea 1:2). Gomer gives birth to three children and the names given to these children - Jezreel or God sows, Lo-Ruhamah or not loved, and Lo-Ammi or not my people - all reflect God's plans for Israel as foreign invaders will overcome Israel.  John MacArthur indicates that for the time being Judah is spared (Hosea 1:7) as God intervenes "on behalf of Hezekiah"(see 2 Kings 19) - this will be covered in more detail in the coming days as my study of Hosea is split across three days.

God's words to prepare Hosea include sharing God's anger with Israel, as well as his plans for forgiveness and acceptance following repentance.

Several key takeaways this morning:
- We must acknowledge where life and our blessings come from - we cannot exist without God. (Hosea 2:8); Israel stopped doing this and drifted away from God. 
- Just as God disciplines Israel, we should view discipline as training.
- Forgiveness awaits those who repent.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has demonstrated unbelievable mercy, compassion, forgiveness and acceptance for me!  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of such love.  I sin...worry and more.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them or abhor them so as to destroy them completely, breaking my covenant with them. I am the Lord their God. But for their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors whom I brought out of Egypt in the sight of the nations to be their God. I am the Lord.

Portions of Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them or abhor them so as to destroy them completely, breaking my covenant with them. I am the Lord their God. But for their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors whom I brought out of Egypt in the sight of the nations to be their God. I am the Lord. Leviticus 26:44-45

Day 63 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on directives from God through Moses (Moses' Laws) for the Israelites responsibilities under the laws - including blessings for obedience, and punishment for disobedience and hardness of heart.

While portions of Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy are highlighted by my study, Leviticus 26 is a key focus.

What is amazing is how God talks about disobedience and punishment in very stark terms in v14-39, yet He still gives us a path to redemption.  It starts with an acknowledgement of sin and a need for repentance - see v40.  God gives us SO many second chances - although His patience is NOT unlimited.

Any reader of the Old Testament must come to the realization that God is faithful, and full of compassion and mercy - despite everything the Israelites have done to disobey His will and instructions. Of course we have a new covenant with Jesus Christ, whereby Jesus died once and for all, for all sin, for all of humanity. He knows that we all sin, we all need a Savior and so He willingly died for us so that we could have victory over the sting of sin and death.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are slow to anger and abounding in love and full of compassion and mercy - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of all the second chances You have provided.  I continue to sin - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.      

I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land.

Joel 3

I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land. v2

God punished Judah for turning away from Him (see chapter 1-2) as an example of how we all face consequences for our sin.  While we are held accountable for our actions, it is not our role to judge others in their own sin.  Judah's neighbors were certainly not innocent - see v2-3,5 - but it is God's role to judge others.

Do not judge.

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2

...

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. Romans 14:13

...

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:3-5

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who punishes me out of love - thank You Jesus!  Yet I am not worthy of Your love because I judge others.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

You will suffer the penalty for your lewdness and bear the consequences of your sins of idolatry. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.

Ezekiel 23

You will suffer the penalty for your lewdness and bear the consequences of your sins of idolatry. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord. v49

God uses a parable of two adulterous sisters who prostitute themselves to communicate the wickedness of Israel.  In this chapter, we see how God reinforces the primacy of His reign.  Verse 36 further demonstrates that one way or another ALL MUST and WILL know God reigns and that all are held accountable.  See also my post of a few days ago.

Since you have forgotten me and turned your back on me, you must bear the consequences of your lewdness and prostitution. v36

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God full of love and compassion for me.  Thank You Jesus. I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses for Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.

Lamentations 3

For no one is cast off by the Lord forever.  Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.  For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone. v31-33

Given Jeremiah's relationship with God - his proximity to God and his resulting relationship - he is able to remain hopeful for himself and for the Jewish people.  Although Jeremiah is pained by the punishment experienced by the Jewish people, he knows it is not an indiscriminate anger - God did not lash out hastily.  It is a thoughtful, rational response that is part of a plan to bring the Jews back to Him.

We know that God sent His Son - this is God's plan.  Therefore, God uses this punishment as a means to an end, not as an end in itself. 

See John Piper provides this excellent brief commentary on these verses.

See also previous posts on punishment as training. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are that You provided Your Son to redeem my sins, to cover my sins and to give me and everyone the opportunity to have freedom from the sting of sin and death.  We simply need to accept You into our lives and to accept this gift of grace with You as our Savior.  Thank You Jesus for the greatest gift of all time. I am not worthy of such a gift. I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

This is what the Lord says: I will overthrow what I have built and uproot what I have planted, throughout the earth. Should you then seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them. For I will bring disaster on all people, declares the Lord, but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.

Jeremiah 46

Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant; do not be dismayed, Israel. I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants from the land of their exile.  Jacob will again have peace and security,
    and no one will make him afraid. Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant, for I am with you, declares the Lord. Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you.  I will discipline you but only in due measure; I will not let you go entirely unpunished. v27-28

God had made a promise to David that someone from his lineage would rise to the throne and this kingdom would last forever.  Although God's anger had grown and He would punish Israel, He would not wipe out Israel - Israel would be punished, but enough of a remnant would survive to create the basis for Christ to rise from Judah.  

We must understand that God holds us accountable for our sin either in this life or at the time of our judgement when we face Him at our death. Also, today's scripture is another example of how God always keeps His promises.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and whose promises ALWAYS come true - I am grateful for the promises You make to me and for the fruit of these promises when I remain faithful to You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love as I often lack trust in You and lose faith.  Please forgive me Jesus for my worry and lack of trust!  Help me turn from such sin towards You and love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

Jeremiah 29

This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” v10-14

Like any good father does for his children, God comes to His children who are being carried into exile to Babylonia. They deserve this punishment.  Yet God offers words of encouragement - this punishment is designed to be for your good and my glory. This is unconditional love - God may not approve of what we are doing and He may be disappointed in us, but He never stops loving us any less and all that He does is out of love for us. 

See also post from a few days ago. 

My Prayer: Jesus, You are an awesome God and I love You.  I know that all that I do is out of love for me.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Like these good figs, I regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I sent away from this place to the land of the Babylonians.My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.

Jeremiah 24

Like these good figs, I regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I sent away from this place to the land of the Babylonians.My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart. v5-7

 
The Lord reveals to Jeremiah that those exiled to Babylonia should remain hopeful - that their affliction and punishment is for their own good and of course God's glory.  These people - as is the case with us - need further refinement as part of God's plan to use us for His glory.

See also punishment as training, discipline as training, and the refiner's fire.

"My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
    and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
    and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Hebrews 12:5-6

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and Your discipline and punishment has produced fruit - thank You Jesus that You love me such that You desire to refine me versus throw me away.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worthy of such love and grace.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I will punish you as your deeds deserve, declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 21

I will punish you as your deeds deserve, declares the Lord. v14

Jeremiah continues to warn the Israelites of impending punishment.  He reminds us of God's perfect justice.  We need not concern ourselves with how others should be punished for their sin - they will as all are subject to God's perfect judgement. Yet at the same time, we must be aware that God is full of grace and in this respect we get what we don't deserve - His forgiveness.  We may see that others get grace when they don't deserve yet we must realize that NONE of us deserve as we all sin (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8) and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).

All of this said, many of us may feel "punished" as we experience difficulties (see also post yesterday).

On this count, two of John Piper's posts are helpful.

Why God Doesn't Fully Explain Pain 
Response to Rabbi Kushner

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me, forgives me and who reigns with perfect judgement...thank You Jesus for the gift of grace.  I am undeserving.  I miss the mark and I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

So the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them from his presence. Only the tribe of Judah was left, and even Judah did not keep the commands of the Lord their God. They followed the practices Israel had introduced. Therefore the Lord rejected all the people of Israel; he afflicted them and gave them into the hands of plunderers, until he thrust them from his presence.

2 Kings 17

So the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them from his presence. Only the tribe of Judah was left, and even Judah did not keep the commands of the Lord their God. They followed the practices Israel had introduced. Therefore the Lord rejected all the people of Israel; he afflicted them and gave them into the hands of plunderers, until he thrust them from his presence. v18-20

God is full of grace yet His patience is not unlimited.  We all die and will face judgement - if we have not accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior then we face eternal damnation.  At the end of times, God waits until the very last moments to give people an opportunity to repent and turn towards Him yet even then the appointed time arrives.

We see this here with Israel where the case against Israel is laid out in v7-20.

God had seen enough with Israel and His patience had run out.

John Piper explains the limits of God's love and patience:

"This means that God’s patience with unrepentant sinners will not last forever. They eventually cross a line beyond which God will not pursue them anymore. He will let them go, and they will never be forgiven. At this point, whatever love he was pursuing them with (Romans 2:4) is gone, and they become the objects of his eternal wrath (Revelation 14:10-11)." 

Piper quotes Jesus to define the trigger for the end of God's patience:

Whoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age, or in the age to come” (Matthew 12:32).

Jesus also makes it clear that love of God is of paramount importance.

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  Matthew 22:37-38

It is clear that Israel failed to do this and God's patience ran out.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is full of compassion, grace and patience.  Your justice is perfect and Your love never runs out - even when You discipline us.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love because I worry.  Please forgive me and help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. 

But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”

Numbers 20

But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.” v12

Moses was indeed a righteous man (see also Deuteronomy 34) but he as not perfect.  In fact, he was a murderer, arrogant, etc.  But God molded Moses into the servant of God Moses needed to be according to God's plan.  Yet even as God's servant from time to time, Moses fell short - as we all do.

We must remember that sins do not go unpunished and that our arrogance and lack of trust in God has a price - as it did for Moses.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is full of forgiveness and compassion - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love. I am harsh with my words.  Please forgive me and help me turn from my sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind, and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of cancer.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

However, when the time comes for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin.

Exodus 32

However, when the time comes for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin. v34

When we sin - we should understand that God will forgive us if we ask, but we will never escape punishment for we are held accountable at the end of our lives for what we have done and we may even face justice in this life as scripture in verse 34 indicates.

For those who believe they can escape punishment - think again - nothing is hidden from our God who is all knowing.

God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. Romans 2:6-7

We should support and speak truth into one another's lives - see post yesterday.

And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being. Genesis 9:5

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love and compassion, beyond what my words can describe.  I know You love me and You are SO patient with me.  Thank You Jesus!  Please forgive me for my lack of grace for others.  Help me turn from my sin towards You and love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.

Genesis 3

The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. v21

Yes, there are consequences for our sin.  Yet God provided His Son as means for us to be forgiven and reconciled to Him.  For God loves us, even in our sin.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

I hold on to Truth and God's promises, including God loves me and He is perfect, in all ways.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are - You are indeed perfect in all ways and forever.  Thank You for Your perfect justice and discipline.  You know what is right for me and You provide abundantly.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love - but You provide it anyway.  I am selfish.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal her of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him shoulder to shoulder.

Zephaniah 3

Then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him shoulder to shoulder. v9

We must recognize that even when God punishes us, it is out of love.  As such, we should not turn our back from Him when we experience the suffering that may come from punishment.  Instead we should recognize that God disciplines those He loves.

"My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
    and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
    and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Hebrews 12:5-6

 

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Revelation 3:19

 

 See also posts here.

When we view God as a loving God and not like a harsh God we can see how God calls us forward to something, either here on this earth or in heaven.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

 

Here in Zephaniah, we see both an angry God and a loving God as He offers us hope beyond the punishment. 

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God full of love and compassion for me and everything You do, including punishment, is out of love for me.  I know You love me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love, as my worry continues.  Please forgive me and help me turn from such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Help me serve You, my family, the church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die. Punish them with the rod and save them from death.

Proverbs 23

Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die. Punish them with the rod and save them from death. v13-14

On Weds this week, I posted about parenting and punishment or discipline for children. For myself, I know I must strike a balance and not bee too harsh with my discipline as harsh and highly critical words (which more often than not are unnecessary) often accompany my discipline.  I can and should discipline my kids firmly but without such harsh and highly critical words. I must demonstrate Jesus in ALL that I do as a parent.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and You are the Great Teacher, full of truth and wisdom and knowledge.  Without You I would be lost and unable to do anything good!  Thank You for how You have led me and blessed me!  Thank You also for how Your discipline has molded me and helped me be more of the man You intend for me.  I am not worth such love.  I am too quick to anger and have too often been harsh with my words.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You and have them choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me lead and serve my family and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored

Proverbs 13

Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored. v18

Punishment and discipline are often difficult to take - yet we must accept the consequences of our sin and understand that God is ALWAYS molding us by removing impurities.

Because God is all knowing, He is perfectly fair.

He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity. Psalm 9:8

We should not fear discipline or punishment - God does not stop loving us. In fact, He disciplines us BECAUSE He loves us.

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Proverbs 3:11-12

 

"My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
    and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
    and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Hebrews 12:5-6

 

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Revelation 3:19

 We must also understand that God's word often reveals our heart condition as God's word is flawless (Proverbs 30:5), and it serves to both rebuke and train us on our journey to be transformed (Romans 12:2) and be more like Him.

 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

My Prayer: What a great God You are!  I am so blessed to have a God who is so patient with me and whose discipline and punishment is with and from love.  Thank You Jesus!  I know You love me yet I also I am undeserving of such love.  I am lazy and harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin..and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

Proverbs 3

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. v11-12

I have had difficulties in my life and nearly all of the time I don't think of the difficult times as training, or that God is refining me by removing sin or impurities.  Accepting discipline or punishment as training or refining can only be done by renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2) because it is not an earthly way (Isaiah 55:8).

For seeing discipline as training, see also Psalm 119:71, Hebrews 12:5-6, Revelation 3:19. 

For more on the refiner's fire, see also here.

My Prayer: Lord, You are without a doubt, an awesome God - full of love, mercy, compassion, etc.  I know I am deserving of the many, many second chances You give me.  Thank You Jesus!  Please forgive me for not being the man You intend for me, for my anger and impatience, which continues to rage on.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.   Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity.

Psalm 9

He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity. v8  

Assuming one agrees that equity, fairness, and justice are good things...it is certainly a good thing that God is equitable in how He judges us....He is certainly capable of being a perfect judge - He knows our heart (Psalm 139) and as such knows our motives and intent 100% of the time.  Yet what we need to keep in mind is that God is not only just and perfect in how He judges us, He is also just and perfect in how He punishes us.  This latter truth is more difficult for us to agree with and understand than the former truth. See my post from a few days ago for thoughts about how we as believers can approach understanding of this truth.  We don't know what God is doing when He dispenses punishment or wrath and it is often hard to swallow.  However, we should all take comfort that David's claim from v8 is accurate - "He rules the world" and God is in control...

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who is fair in both  judgement and punishment.  You know what is best for all of us and both Your will and Your works/actions are perfect.  I have experienced this in my own life.  Thank You Jesus.  Yet I am not worthy of such a God...I continue to be harsh with my words.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects of chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin, and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.

Revelation 3

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. v19

Whatever our circumstances we should be thankful (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and see our circumstances as discipline, training and as preparation for what God wants for us as part of His plan.

See also:
- Prov 3:11-12 (NIV) My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
- Prov 15:5 (NIV) A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

This link also provides a great number of excellent examples on this topic.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, capable of all things and full of mercy, compassion and patience for me...despite knowing everything about me including my sin!  Thank You Jesus!  What a great God!  I am not worth such a God and the many blessings You pour out on me.  I am NOT in action as You desire for me...You say "make every effort" but I fail to do this!  Please forgive me and help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me "make every effort" and help me see Your rebuke and discipline as coaching and training for my good and Your glory!  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.