Thoughts for another day

January 23, 2007

Today's verse: 2 Chron. 28:9. Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

God cannot abide with us if we sin and do not return to Him. At times, we can almost feel the anger of God because of our incessant sinning and our unholy ways. But, even at that moment God loves us and eventually creates an opening through which we can scrape back to Him. It takes a while though and that is what the prophets and others call, the period of trial. At this time we suffer most experiencing purification and the going can get really tough.

Remember it is at this time, God though unfelt, is most close to us. God is the eternal purifier and He sits down and purifies us (Malachi 3:3). It is painful but His Grace pulls us through. Malachi rightly says that He is a purifier of silver and purges us as though we were silver or gold. God does this because we are precious. God moves us up and down and brings the brush of cleansing with pressure to remove the toughest stains while we writhe in pain. We think God is punishing us, but in reality, God is purging us! In this situation some of our enemies plunder and ridicule us thinking that they have won even while the whole thing seems shameful to us. Those of us who have gone through this experience will know what I am talking about.

The same thing happened in Israel. If you read Ch. 28 of 2 Chronicles, you will see that God allowed the Judahites (Those of Israel, even closer and more loved of God) to fall severely and be punished. It is then that prophet Oded speaks the verse of today. Those taking advantage of us at that moment of our trial need fear God. They do because our punishment is of God while they are just instruments He uses. Also, God’s punishment can be borne by the Grace He provides; but the retribution He will bring on those who take advantage of us during this time, will be terrible.

I have seen many Christians pray in adversity and get closer to God. I could also say that the greatest miracles are seen in a trial. I want to comfort you today if you are facing a trial. Look up and behold Him who is working to give you all you need. In Him alone will you find the grace to bear your sorrows and wipe those tears and smile through it all.