Today’s Reading, 1 Chronicles 25-27
Focal Scripture: 1 Chronicles 27:24 “Joab son of Zeruiah began to count them, but he didn’t complete it. There was wrath against Israel because of this census, and the number was not entered in the Historical Record of King David.”
As humans we think of either/or when dealing with situations. For instance when people talk about their favorite food it is with passion and detail. They can let you know every detail and the best place they had the dish. They are not hating it and loving it simultaneously. Our minds are finite and can only handle so much because of our limited capacity. However, God is not that way. He is both/and when it comes to situations. For instance God can simultaneously love the sinner and abhor them at the same time.
In today’s reading we see God demonstrate both wrath and mercy. The wrath came from God because the census was being completed. In his righteousness he gave David three options to pick from for his punishment. Gods wrath over the sin was quick and harsh. However, God also showed mercy and restraint. He could have given no choice. He could have destroyed David and his house and even wiped out the nation. Instead God dealt with the sin and showed mercy together. He can do both because he is not limited.
I want to make it very clear here that our God is both all loving and all wrathful. He can be both at the same time because he is God. He loves everyone with a passion that sent his to the cross. While at the same time will pour out his wrath on sin and the unbeliever. Gods wrath is not something to shy away from in our Christian discussions. It actually reveals God’s holiness and righteous character. It demonstrates his goodness and his love.
You might be saying how does wrath demonstrate God’s love? It is demonstrated by the fact of his high standard. That everyone will be held to the same standard. We see this with David in the passage. He is a man after God’s heart but still feels his wrath. What makes God different is that he loves us out of choice and pure motives. His wrath is also pure. It is not arbitrary and it does not have to be poured out on you as an individual.
Our God has sent his son to deliver us from his wrath. The only condition to be free from what is to come, is to give your life in exchange for Jesus sacrifice. We must understand that God loves everyone enough to have a high standard. Let us bow our knees and our hearts to the loving and wrathful King of the universe.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading 1 Chronicles 28-29 & 2 Chronicles 1
