“For I will not contend forever, neither will I always be angry; for the spirit would fail before Me, and the souls which I have made. For the iniquity of his covetousness I was angry and struck him; I hid and was angry, and he went on backsliding in the way of his heart. I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him, and restore comforts to him and to his mourners.” (vv.16-18)
For the majority of this chapter God speaks out against Israel’s futile idolatry. Against the fact that His people had turned away from Him and had turned unto the practices of the heathen peoples around them, developing little idols and gods and worshiping them. Describing the futility of their newfound hope God states, “And when you cry, your gods will not be able to deliver you. They will be carried away themselves by the wind” (v.13a). Then loving reminds His people once again that, “He who puts his trust in Me shall possess the land, and shall inherit My holy mountain” (v.13b)
This now brings us to the point of application in our text. God will not always contend, argue, make a case, for His Lordship over our lives. Neither will He always be angry with us. O He may correct, admonish, rebuke, even punish, in order to get our attention, but the bottom line here is, God loves His children. He knows them, He sees them, and will heal and comfort them. And, even though you may have forsaken God, like Israel who had gone and done these abominable practices, He promises to make available His restoration (v.18).
If you could use that touch of restoration today, see the prayer to the right on this page. God Bless you all.
The Truth: “And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.” (1 Peter 5:10)
For the majority of this chapter God speaks out against Israel’s futile idolatry. Against the fact that His people had turned away from Him and had turned unto the practices of the heathen peoples around them, developing little idols and gods and worshiping them. Describing the futility of their newfound hope God states, “And when you cry, your gods will not be able to deliver you. They will be carried away themselves by the wind” (v.13a). Then loving reminds His people once again that, “He who puts his trust in Me shall possess the land, and shall inherit My holy mountain” (v.13b)
This now brings us to the point of application in our text. God will not always contend, argue, make a case, for His Lordship over our lives. Neither will He always be angry with us. O He may correct, admonish, rebuke, even punish, in order to get our attention, but the bottom line here is, God loves His children. He knows them, He sees them, and will heal and comfort them. And, even though you may have forsaken God, like Israel who had gone and done these abominable practices, He promises to make available His restoration (v.18).
If you could use that touch of restoration today, see the prayer to the right on this page. God Bless you all.
The Truth: “And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.” (1 Peter 5:10)
