7/1/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
Our Old Testament passage from Isaiah 66 describes Jerusalem as a mother and God’s people as infants who receive all they need from that mother. Jerusalem as the city of God is the place where the Lord distributes His care. Here is is abundant nourishment, delight, peace, comfort and rejoicing. While the Lord provides for His people He is also indignant with His enemies (v. 14). This protective quality of God is one that our culture seems to find challenging. After all, isn’t God the God of love, comfort, and forgiveness?
What we have trouble with is the fact that God acts like a protective parent. This means that those who pose a threat to the well being of his children will be discouraged in some way. Are there people trying to harm my children? I will try to put a stop to it. Are there illnesses which could kill my children? I will try to protect them. Are there patterns of thinking or actions that will create hardship and bring ruin upon my family? I will oppose them. God is very much the same way.
By His very act of providing for the needs of His children, He rejects what is harmful. He opposes those who would destroy what He has built. He shows mercy on His people and He opposes His enemies. They are also enemies of His children.
The Christian can give thanks to God for such care. He actually cares enough for His people that He treats them in a special way. They are fed, clothed, sheltered, and comforted. This is the great promise for all who trust in God through Christ.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
Our Old Testament passage from Isaiah 66 describes Jerusalem as a mother and God’s people as infants who receive all they need from that mother. Jerusalem as the city of God is the place where the Lord distributes His care. Here is is abundant nourishment, delight, peace, comfort and rejoicing. While the Lord provides for His people He is also indignant with His enemies (v. 14). This protective quality of God is one that our culture seems to find challenging. After all, isn’t God the God of love, comfort, and forgiveness?
What we have trouble with is the fact that God acts like a protective parent. This means that those who pose a threat to the well being of his children will be discouraged in some way. Are there people trying to harm my children? I will try to put a stop to it. Are there illnesses which could kill my children? I will try to protect them. Are there patterns of thinking or actions that will create hardship and bring ruin upon my family? I will oppose them. God is very much the same way.
By His very act of providing for the needs of His children, He rejects what is harmful. He opposes those who would destroy what He has built. He shows mercy on His people and He opposes His enemies. They are also enemies of His children.
The Christian can give thanks to God for such care. He actually cares enough for His people that He treats them in a special way. They are fed, clothed, sheltered, and comforted. This is the great promise for all who trust in God through Christ.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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