PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: 2 Kings 23-24
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“It was because of the Lord’s anger that all this happened.” (2 Kings 24:20)
Our language for God does not fully or fairly represent God.
When we describe God as loving, we use human love as our comparison.
But God’s love is purer and better than human love.
The same is true for God’s anger; God’s anger is purer and better than human love.
The fullest revelation of God is perfect, self-giving love.
That God endured so long with Israel’s sin shows the extent of that love.
And when God finally gives them over to their sin, it is not with burning rage.
God’s anger is perfect love in action, it is just and generous.
He finally gives the people what they want: life without him to be a bother.
“He thrust them from his presence.” (2 Kings 24:20)
People who want to be without God, his will or his interference, will one day get it.
Because he loves us, he will give us what we want… and it won’t be pretty.
But even then, as with the prodigal son (Luke 15), the door will still be open.
His loving anger will let us go, but his loving mercy will welcome us back.
PRAYER
Lord, through your life and death we see how far God’s loving anger and mercy will go to bring us back. Forgive us for accusing God of human rage, and help us understand God’s loving anger!
Josiah was Mr. Clean – he cleaned up Jerusalem and Bethel – removed all the vile pagan practices, priests, altars etc. Josiah was faithful. But all that Josiah did was not enough. God spared Josiah from seeing and experiencing the disaster that was coming – God took Josiah home while fighting for his people. Yet, it was not enough. God was angry – especially at its zenith with Manasseh – “For he (Manasseh) had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the Lord was not willing to forgive”. Like the blood of Abel crying out from the ground – God condemned Cain – God punished his people – they were taken away and made to reflect on how they had lost their way. We too are disciplined by a loving God who wants us to find our way back to Him by Jesus. God disciplines whom He loves. May I learn, Lord Jesus!
One king after another did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. As the leader goes, so go the people. But the Lord did raise a new king who also did what was evil. But the King of kings reigns. He is supreme and one day all knees will bow before His presence. I need to remember that these days that my God reigns also in times like these. Faith over fear.
Our God is great and glorious
We put our trust in your name Jesus
Able to save and deliever us
We put our hope in Your name Jesus…
Your blessing and honor
Glory and power
Unto our God
Forever and ever
All of the honors, all of the praise is yours
Yours forever…
Hallelujah…, hallelujah…
Our God reigns
Hallelujah…, hallelujah…
Our God reigns…