Genesis 18:16-19:38 / Matthew 6:25-7:14 / Psalm 8 / Proverbs 2:6-15
Many people think the God of the Old Testament (which is of course also the God of the new) was harsh and filled only with wrath. If that were true, why would He have listened to Abraham and agreed to spare two sin-filled cities for the sake of 10 people?
If you know the story, you know that the city was so filled with wickedness, that only Abraham’s nephew Lot, along with his wife and daughters were found and rescued from the destruction.
Yes, there was destruction of evil, but don’t forget there was rescue for God’s people. And that is a clear picture of God’s nature. He is both judgment and mercy / wrath and love.
In Matthew we are reminded that God cares for the wildflowers but He cares for those who are His much more. And because He cares for us, we ought to care for others. Matthew 7:12 says, “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.”
Psalm 8 has a beautiful portion reminding us how precious we are to God. “When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers – the moon and the stars you set in place – what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?”
If we know the God who loves, ought we not also love each other? 1 John 4:7-8 tells us “Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God; for God is love.”
It’s not my responsibility to defend God’s character; He does that all by Himself. But I can tell you that over my lifetime of knowing Him – since the age of 5 – I have known Him to be a loving Father who brought both gentle correction, as well as great comfort.
I’m thankful to have had the opportunity these past many years to have belonged to Him!
