2/23/2017

What if it’s so much bigger than us? Scripture makes clear that God not only allows suffering to take place but that it comes at His directive, sent by His command.
(Jeremiah 44:2-14; Joel 2:25; Job 5:17-18; Deuteronomy 32:39; Isaiah 54:16; Psalm 105:17-19; Isaiah 13:1-6; Hosea – so much in Hosea and Hosea 8:7a; Isaiah 46:10-12)

For what purpose? To redeem us. To free us from the chains of idolatry in our pursuit of false gods. To give us eyes to see and ears to hear and hearts to understand that He alone is God. He alone can redeem and save and deliver. To help us understand that He is Sovereign, He is Righteous, He is Holy, He is Just.

It is our sin, the consequences of which is death. And yet, in His infinite mercy, He bends near. He becomes jealous for us (Joel 2:18, Exodus 34:14; Song of Songs 8:6). He pursues the enemy He sent against us, routes him and delivers us from his hand (Joel 2:20; Isaiah 49:24-26).

He draws near. He woos us out into the desert, gives us a heart prepared now to receive Him as Husband and not just as Master and turns our valley of troubles into a doorway of Hope (Hosea 2:14-23).

How awesome He truly is. And from what immense perspective He works from.

Is it worth it, the suffering, if it redeems our souls? (1 Peter 1:6-7).

He too has suffered (Isaiah 53).