But the most stunning thing in all of my wrestling and contemplation is that God continues to show ridiculous amounts of mercy even in the midst of pouring out the full measure of His wrath in the bowl judgments. How can He still be showing mercy and unleashing the fullness of His fury? It is absolutely stunning and I don't understand it one bit. I found this verse in Isaiah that accurately fits this attribute of God.
"Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.The Lord is longing to have compassion on the wicked and unrighteous. God will abundantly pardon those who return to him. He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness! I don't understand it one bit, but I am entirely thankful for it.
(Isa 55:6-8)
In refereance to the 'resisters', I had to get Danny Hibberd to help me out of my conundrum. He reminded me that before I was redeemed, I was essentially a 'resister.' I was under wrath, although I was not experiencing the full weight of it, and yet, the Lord was providing me the grace to turn to him. It is certainly a mystery! It tweaks my soteriology, but what can I do? His thoughts are certainly not my thoughts and His ways are so confusing it makes my head spin, but I am so glad for it.
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
(Rom 11:33)
4 comments:
What's soteriology? Is it like escatology and sociology mixed with a little rhetoric?
Praise God that He suffers long with us, desiring to show us mercy even when we resist Him. What an awesome God we serve!!
this is an utterly and admittedly unrelated note:
thank you for your kindness in my frailty tonight... you blessed me. my apologies for being a jerk in the sound booth when you asked if i was okay... i didn't mean to be mean. i like you.
Just to clear things up....you don't link me. LIAR!!!!! just kidding. you're not a liar...just confused. yep...cuz you don't have the best person ever linked.
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