THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.” (Nehemiah 9:17)
Unless we have a cosmic view of God and his purposes, He can appear confusing and unreachable. The Scriptures have so many metaphors, its sometimes difficult to keep the picture clear.
For example; shouldn’t “evil-doers” be exempt from God’s blessings? Yet, it seems that behavior doesn’t make any difference with God. He gives blessings to good and bad alike. Even the prophet Jeremiah at times questioned God’s fairness.
“Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease”. Jeremiah 12:1
In reading the Bible, we find what seems to be a lot of injustice. David, the principle author of the Psalms, for example says.:
“But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. From their callous hearts come iniquity; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.” (Psalms 73:2-7. also read to verse 14).
However, the Bible also alludes to the idea that the world’s injustice is the result of the rebellion started in heaven against God. It is necessary for the true nature of evil to run its course to show to the universe the results of setting aside divine authority. God’s integrity and justice would ultimately be exalted and his character vindicated.
The “Song of Moses” announces that message:
“I will proclaim the name of the Lord.
Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just.
A faithful God who does not wrong, upright and just is he.” Deuteronomy. 32:3-4