Issue 846 – Signs – September 6, 2022
I was listening to an oldies radio station when a song from my youth came rocking in. It was “Signs” by the Canadian group Five Man Electrical Band, released in 1971.
It has been a bit of an earworm and got me thinking about signs and signage.
I don’t know where this sign is located, as I found the photo uncredited online, but I love the imagery. Perhaps it is an actual intersection, or maybe it is photoshopped. Either way, it is at the crossroads of mercy and grace where we meet Jesus.
I have often been asked the question, “if God is real and so good, why is there suffering in the world?” Sometimes it is asked as an excuse not to believe, but at other times it is asked as a valid question.
It’s hard not to see the pain and suffering in the world. Loneliness, broken relationships; shattered families; divided communities; death; war, pestilence, greed, crime … the list could go on and on.
Could God put an end to it all? Absolutely, and do so in an instant. He could bring His holy and justified wrath to bear on all sinners, and the problem would be solved. He could have done so in Eden with Adam and Eve rather than show mercy. The Lord would have justified taking the lives of Adam and Eve on the spot when they disobeyed.
Rather than allowing Noah and his small family to survive the flood, He could have drowned them with everyone else. Noah and his family were still sinners even though Noah preached righteousness.
The problem isn’t with God; He has the power. The problem is with humanity. We are born with a sinful nature, and we choose to sin. We chose disobedience over obedience to God, and disobedience comes with a cost.
The world is full of mourning, but we were not created for mourning but for joy. Humanity was placed in the Garden where everything was present to meet our needs and walk in fellowship with God. As long as we opted to walk in obedience to God, none of the problems we have today would exist. Unfortunately, we chose rebellion.
The fact that there are any of us left to question why there is pain and suffering is a testimony to both God’s existence and His mercy.
In His mercy, He sent His Son to bear our penalty. In His mercy, He sent Holy Spirit to convict us of our sin and point us to Christ. In His mercy, He reveals Himself through the Word. In His mercy, those who choose to repent and trust Christ through faith are forgiven and made holy.
In His mercy and grace, he waits for everyone who will be saved to be saved for eternity with Him. I encourage all who question to seek that marvellous intersection and be reconciled to God.
In the interim, we trust and obey.
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:1-12
The Lord does not promise a world without problems (not until glory), but He gives us the tools to guide us through. As the old song says, “Trust and obey, for there’s no better way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey.”
We needn’t rejoice for the mess the world is in, but we can rejoice in it. The proof of God’s great mercy and love is that He hasn’t brought it all to a close yet.
Believers live at the intersection of God’s mercy and grace, and we can hold fast. We can pray for those who don’t yet know where that crossroad is located and look forward to the day when God’s name is redeemed, and all is restored.
In the interim, no matter how messy things may seem, give God the glory for His patient, loving mercy.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed.
Kevin.
Gleanings From The Word.
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God alone.)
_____________________________
All contents are © 2001, 2022 K. F. “Kevin” Corbin and Gleanings From The Word.
Check us out on the web at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Never miss an issue. Subscribe to our email version today https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV).
____________________________
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#signs #signage #fivemanelectricalband #rock&roll
#grace #mercy
I was listening to an oldies radio station when a song from my youth came rocking in. It was “Signs” by the Canadian group Five Man Electrical Band, released in 1971.
It has been a bit of an earworm and got me thinking about signs and signage.
I don’t know where this sign is located, as I found the photo uncredited online, but I love the imagery. Perhaps it is an actual intersection, or maybe it is photoshopped. Either way, it is at the crossroads of mercy and grace where we meet Jesus.
I have often been asked the question, “if God is real and so good, why is there suffering in the world?” Sometimes it is asked as an excuse not to believe, but at other times it is asked as a valid question.
It’s hard not to see the pain and suffering in the world. Loneliness, broken relationships; shattered families; divided communities; death; war, pestilence, greed, crime … the list could go on and on.
Could God put an end to it all? Absolutely, and do so in an instant. He could bring His holy and justified wrath to bear on all sinners, and the problem would be solved. He could have done so in Eden with Adam and Eve rather than show mercy. The Lord would have justified taking the lives of Adam and Eve on the spot when they disobeyed.
Rather than allowing Noah and his small family to survive the flood, He could have drowned them with everyone else. Noah and his family were still sinners even though Noah preached righteousness.
The problem isn’t with God; He has the power. The problem is with humanity. We are born with a sinful nature, and we choose to sin. We chose disobedience over obedience to God, and disobedience comes with a cost.
The world is full of mourning, but we were not created for mourning but for joy. Humanity was placed in the Garden where everything was present to meet our needs and walk in fellowship with God. As long as we opted to walk in obedience to God, none of the problems we have today would exist. Unfortunately, we chose rebellion.
The fact that there are any of us left to question why there is pain and suffering is a testimony to both God’s existence and His mercy.
In His mercy, He sent His Son to bear our penalty. In His mercy, He sent Holy Spirit to convict us of our sin and point us to Christ. In His mercy, He reveals Himself through the Word. In His mercy, those who choose to repent and trust Christ through faith are forgiven and made holy.
In His mercy and grace, he waits for everyone who will be saved to be saved for eternity with Him. I encourage all who question to seek that marvellous intersection and be reconciled to God.
In the interim, we trust and obey.
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
Proverbs 3:1-12
The Lord does not promise a world without problems (not until glory), but He gives us the tools to guide us through. As the old song says, “Trust and obey, for there’s no better way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey.”
We needn’t rejoice for the mess the world is in, but we can rejoice in it. The proof of God’s great mercy and love is that He hasn’t brought it all to a close yet.
Believers live at the intersection of God’s mercy and grace, and we can hold fast. We can pray for those who don’t yet know where that crossroad is located and look forward to the day when God’s name is redeemed, and all is restored.
In the interim, no matter how messy things may seem, give God the glory for His patient, loving mercy.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed.
Kevin.
Gleanings From The Word.
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God alone.)
_____________________________
All contents are © 2001, 2022 K. F. “Kevin” Corbin and Gleanings From The Word.
Check us out on the web at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Never miss an issue. Subscribe to our email version today https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV).
____________________________
#Gleanings #devotional #biblestudy #dailybible #bible #love #joy #gleanings #KevinCorbin #jesus #god #faith #christian #Christ #Father #bibleverses #prayer #church #forgiveness #Holyspirit #pray #jesuschrist #worship #Biblereading #believe #dailybiblereading #dailybible #devotional #discipleship #scripture #gospel #hope #truth #worship #encouragement
#signs #signage #fivemanelectricalband #rock&roll
#grace #mercy