“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.”
EZEKIEL 16
HEBREWS 12
5And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,
“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”a
7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
JOURNAL
Reading through Genesis and the fall what really strikes me was the motivation behind it...it came from doubt and a mistrust of God. The desire to want something apart from what God had provided. They were in paradise with everything they could possibly want and the one thing that was forbidden...they disobeyed and consumed.
This is the story of my life...and I guess I find some comfort in that it is also everyone else's story as well. We desire more than what we have and doubt God's goodness and love. To do so always leads me to sin...in one form or another. The interesting thing is that it always begins with doubt. When I doubt his love and then seek contentment outside of today and his love for me today, then I walk roads that push him away for the promise that these deviant roads will satisfy my desires and give me peace, joy and contentment.
This seems so simple, yet there is a Bible and world history along with the trials and tribulations of human beings on this planet to affirm that it's not so simple. Or is it? Have I just made life way more stressful and complicated than it really is? Accepting God's love and his discipline seem to be the greatest commandment because ultimately that is how I love God...by trusting him and accepting my circumstances, while trusting him in all my actions.
I guess the really difficult thing is letting go of all those deviant roads that have brought me temporary comfort in the past. Like a rat to cheese in a trap, they call and promise the joy I seek...but in the end they lead to separation, destruction and death. Thank God that he has promised forgiveness and redemption when I stray...thank God that he knows my heart and knows my ways and loves through my betrayal and my rejection of him. What an amazing love...what an amazing God!
This is the story of my life...and I guess I find some comfort in that it is also everyone else's story as well. We desire more than what we have and doubt God's goodness and love. To do so always leads me to sin...in one form or another. The interesting thing is that it always begins with doubt. When I doubt his love and then seek contentment outside of today and his love for me today, then I walk roads that push him away for the promise that these deviant roads will satisfy my desires and give me peace, joy and contentment.
This seems so simple, yet there is a Bible and world history along with the trials and tribulations of human beings on this planet to affirm that it's not so simple. Or is it? Have I just made life way more stressful and complicated than it really is? Accepting God's love and his discipline seem to be the greatest commandment because ultimately that is how I love God...by trusting him and accepting my circumstances, while trusting him in all my actions.
I guess the really difficult thing is letting go of all those deviant roads that have brought me temporary comfort in the past. Like a rat to cheese in a trap, they call and promise the joy I seek...but in the end they lead to separation, destruction and death. Thank God that he has promised forgiveness and redemption when I stray...thank God that he knows my heart and knows my ways and loves through my betrayal and my rejection of him. What an amazing love...what an amazing God!
10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
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