Issue 1492 – Waterfall Rose – July 6, 2024
Kathy and I stood at the head of the massive waterfall. We watched as the water pounded and thundered downstream with high volume and incredible force. The roar was nearly deafening.
As I looked nearer the river bank, I saw the delicate beauty of a wild rose bud covered in the spray from the falls. The terrific thunder of the falls starkly contrasted with the freshness of new life.
It was a scene that made me think of God’s wonderful nature.
Often, we have a tiny one-dimensional picture in our mind of who God is.
We can see Him as all love in a sentimental, syrupy, almost nauseatingly sweet way. We might see Him as a cosmic genie who does not care about what we do, sort of a doting old grandfather figure simply there at our beck and call when we want something.
We might see Him as an angry, vengeful God full of arbitrary rules and regulations, just waiting for the moment when He can gleefully stomp on us. As I write this, I can envision a giant Monty Pythonish foot coming out of the clouds and stomping on someone.
All these sorts of images are familiar, but each is fundamentally flawed.
For a start, God cannot be contained within a one-dimensional image. His nature and character are so incredibly diverse that we cannot encapsulate them within a lifetime of description. Secondly, all of these images are wrong.
Yes, God is love, but He is also holy and righteous and has a just wrath. He is not a sickeningly sweet caricature of love; rather, He is an all-encompassing, sacrificial love concerned more about our overall welfare than our temporary comfort.
Yes, God delights in giving His children gifts, but never be tricked into believing He is there to give you everything you want or that He does not care about your sin. He does care about sin, and it displeases Him. He does give gifts, but not just what we think we want. He is more concerned about what we truly need.
God is not angry at you. He is rightfully upset about your sin, but He loves you. His rules are not arbitrary or capricious; they have merit and are designed for our good.
The LORD does not get pleasure from having to discipline; instead, it breaks His heart. He would far rather that we avail ourselves of His grace and mercy. Yet, He will discipline us if we need it.
Outside of my photo, the rosebud eventually opens fully and dies, and the falls may change course or dry up; at the same time, God remains constant. His nature never changes.
God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The Lord,[b] the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. Exodus 3:14-15
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
Until next time, set aside your preconceptions. Spend time in the Word, in worship, and prayer. Learn who God truly is and rejoice in His wondrous, unchanging character and love for you.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV)