No title today (can I do that?)

Enough is enough. That is exactly what God told Jeremiah starting in 14.11. There IS a limit to how far God extends His mercy and grace. That limit is called justice. Still, knowing the extent of the sin of Israel, it is quite safe to say God desires mercy first. A lot of theologians try to convince everyone that God’s attributes are all equal in value. I don’t know about that, but what I do know is what I see of God in His Word. And what I see in His Word is that although He indeed brings discipline and punishment, it is always a ‘last resort.’ That has to mean something!

Jeremiah 15.6 should be read not only for face value, but also for what it implies. ““You have abandoned me and turned your back on me,” says the Lord. “Therefore, I will raise my fist to destroy you. I am tired of always giving you another chance.”” Okay, face value, these people have had it! But what else is implied? God has become weary of ALWAYS giving another chance! The norm is ‘another chance’ with God!

I am afraid if we adopted God’s parenting skills today we would be called weak parents! So, who’s wrong here? God or us?

Er…uhm, I will now move along to another subject…

I want to hear good news about those we have shared our lives in the Gospel with. I can see quite clearly that Paul felt the same way in his letter to the Thessalonians. I want to include Paul’s words here for those who read this blog that we have ministered to personally:

“But now Timothy has just returned, bringing us good news about your faith and love. He reports that you always remember our visit with joy and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you. So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord.

How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence. Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith.

May God our Father and our Lord Jesus bring us to you very soon. And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. May He, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all His holy people. AMEN.”