On My Mind...
Most of us want life to be like an amusement park. We want “safe” thrills. Oh, we like it when the adrenaline is pumping, the heart is racing, we struggle to catch our breath, so long as we know it is all in fun and nothing is really going to happen. We’re up for an adventure. We like the idea that something can happen suddenly that will dramatically alter our lives providing it is for our “good” of course, we get to determine what “good” means. Further, we enjoy it when we are in control of things. Don’t you hate that feeling that comes over you when you know you can’t do anything about what is going on? None of us likes the idea of being reminded of just how insignificant we really are. Billy Graham, when given the congressional medal, stood at the podium and looked around the statues and paintings in the Capitol rotunda and said, “You know all these folks have one thing in common. They’re all dead.” It’s true, cemeteries are filled with “indispensable people.” Perhaps you’ve been told, “It’s inoperable. We’re going to try this and hope for the best.” There are those times in life when we are awakened by the cold, hard reality of just how little control we possess.
I’m convinced that the average person’s concept of God is a safe and unassuming picture. Trust in God is a good thing because He’s a good guy. It’s his job to be understanding, patient, loving and giving. God is supposed to make people feel good and give them whatever they need or want. Now, thank God he is loving, caring, gracious, compassionate and giving, but that is not the whole picture. He is holy, righteous, and wrathful. What it comes down to is this – GOD IS NOT SAFE.
He lived 8 centuries before Christ. He was a prophet, and his message was to Nineveh and Judah. His message was comforting and terrifying. “Oh, comforting to Judah and terrifying to Nineveh?” Well, no, comforting and terrifying to both. His message was that God is the ultimate Sovereign and that true inspires hope and strikes terror, at the same time. God is fundamentally good and that inspires hope. He knows those who take refuge in Him. He is full of love, compassion, kindness and mercy. Yet, He comes in terrifying judgment on sin and unrighteousness. I encourage you to take a moment and read Nahum’s prophecy. One interesting thing as you read. The prophet switches back and forth between Nineveh and Judah. So much so that you’re not always sure who He’s talking about. That’s intentional. You know someone is going to be blessed and someone is going to be judged, you’re just not sure which is which. A reminder that God is in charge. A lesson, we would do well to remember.
I will see you Sunday for worship. Have a blessed week!
Rod
I’m convinced that the average person’s concept of God is a safe and unassuming picture. Trust in God is a good thing because He’s a good guy. It’s his job to be understanding, patient, loving and giving. God is supposed to make people feel good and give them whatever they need or want. Now, thank God he is loving, caring, gracious, compassionate and giving, but that is not the whole picture. He is holy, righteous, and wrathful. What it comes down to is this – GOD IS NOT SAFE.
He lived 8 centuries before Christ. He was a prophet, and his message was to Nineveh and Judah. His message was comforting and terrifying. “Oh, comforting to Judah and terrifying to Nineveh?” Well, no, comforting and terrifying to both. His message was that God is the ultimate Sovereign and that true inspires hope and strikes terror, at the same time. God is fundamentally good and that inspires hope. He knows those who take refuge in Him. He is full of love, compassion, kindness and mercy. Yet, He comes in terrifying judgment on sin and unrighteousness. I encourage you to take a moment and read Nahum’s prophecy. One interesting thing as you read. The prophet switches back and forth between Nineveh and Judah. So much so that you’re not always sure who He’s talking about. That’s intentional. You know someone is going to be blessed and someone is going to be judged, you’re just not sure which is which. A reminder that God is in charge. A lesson, we would do well to remember.
I will see you Sunday for worship. Have a blessed week!
Rod