“Yet the people of Israel rebelled against me in the desert. They did not follow my decrees but rejected my laws—although the man who obeys them will live by them.” Ezekiel 20:13
God Almighty is insurmountable, strong, powerful, victorious. He can handle whatever we feeble creatures might dish out. But in this text from Isaiah, we read that the people of Israel grieved the Lord’s Spirit with their rebellion. We are aware that we can anger Him, but here we learn that sin grieves Him. To speak in our human terms, our disobedience breaks His heart. We read on in Isaiah that the Lord turned to be the enemy of His people and fought against them. That we hurt Him with our rebellion might surprise us, but the thought of Him fighting against us should terrify us. In His mercy, He does not unleash His full wrath. If He did, we surely would be annihilated. The Lord fights with His people to redeem and restore them, to teach them obedience. It’s for their own good. It’s for our good. What’s more, the Lord’s anger does not last forever. He remembers the days of old when He delivered His people. God’s love for them transcends His wrath. Likewise, Jesus did not administer God’s wrath, but bore it for us.



Scripture Focus

Isaiah 63:7-13

Insight

Quiet your heart through hardships and let it well up with gratitude through good times. The Lord is the designer of both!

Bible In A Year

  • 1 Kings 21-22
  • Proverbs 10
  • Hebrews 13

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