A Word of Encouragement

May 27, 2022

Hippy Freak - circa 1970

Grace, Hope & Peace, Friend;

One of the issues some Christians have with the Old Testament is, they feel there is a disconnect between God, in the New Testament, (who loves humanity - sending His Son to redeem us - and God, in the Old Testament - (who wiped out most of humanity in a flood.)

Paul addresses this disconnect in Romans chapter nine.

What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? Far from it! For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I have mercy, and I will show compassion to whomever I show compassion.”
	Romans 9:14-15

God's actions are up to God! (Vs. 16) He told Pharaoh, “For this reason I have allowed you to remain, in order to show you My power and in order to proclaim My name throughout the earth.” (Exodus 9:16)

He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.
	Romans 9:17

Then Paul anticipates the next ‘logical’ question - You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” (Vs. 18)

Paul's answer is blunt;

On the contrary, who are you, you foolish person, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it?
	Romans 9:20

A potter has the right to use his clay any way he wants! (Vs. 21)

What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with great patience objects of wrath prepared for destruction?
	Romans 9:22

And, by doing this, He demonstrates His glory and mercy on humanity? (Vs. 23)

What are the ‘objects of wrath prepared for destruction?’ Who is God angry at? It is Satan, who tried to ruin God's creation, and death which resulted from that influence! That is God's enemy and that is the enemy of humanity. (Ephesians 6:12) Why does God endure Satan's influence? Why doesn't He just fix everything as He promised?

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.
	2 Peter 3:9

God has not changed. Jesus, “the exact representation of His nature,” (Hebrews 1:3) has and always will be the same. (Hebrews 13:8) And Jesus said He came because of God's incredible love. (John 3:16) God loves Pharaoh as much as He loves Moses! The flood victims as much as Noah. And the Roman soldiers as much as Jesus. There is no partiality with God. (Romans 2:11)

When God allows disasters to happen, it is not because He is mad at humanity. He is demonstrating His sovereignty and the effects of Satan's influence. God would have been fully justified if He had wiped out creation when Adam and Eve chose Satan over God. But He loves us so much, He patiently waits for us to repent - realign our thoughts with His.

There is no disconnect. God always has, and always will, love humanity.

El Rachum - Merciful God - Thank You for making me the way I am. Use me to demonstrate Your love for humanity.

You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.
	Psalm 142:5bc

Created in His image,

-=john & nancy=-