HALLELUYAH! HALLELUYAH!! HALLELUYAH!!!
Topic: Fearsome God Who Loves
WEEK 37 (Sept 28th – Oct 4th)
Release Date: September 29th
WEEKLY BIBLE READING:
Psalm 130:4
[4] But there is forgiveness with thee, That thou mayest be feared.
INTERPRETATION
Forgiveness is not weakness, but a display of God’s strength, mercy, and love. Unlike humans who often use power to punish, God uses His power to forgive. His mercy is meant to draw us closer, not push us away. Imagine standing at the foot of a mighty waterfall: the thunderous roar fills you with awe and fear, but the waters also bring refreshment and life. That is how God reveals Himself, fearsome God who also loves deeply.
God forgives not so we can take sin lightly, but so we can revere Him more. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”. Fear God with reverence, not terror. God forgave us at the cost of Christ’s blood (Ephesians 1:7). That should make us honor Him more in our daily lives. God’s love shines through forgiveness. Instead of leaving us under wrath, He extends forgiveness (Psalm 86:5).
In His forgiveness, we experience His mercy. God’s mercy should shape how we treat people. In Ephesians 4:32 we were directed to be compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave us, we should extend the forgiving spirit to our fellow neighbors in like manner. This will enable us to approach God with confidence and usher us into an intimate relationship with Him.
The Cross is the ultimate proof of God’s awesome love and forgiveness (Isaiah 53). In Christ, the holy God pours out wrath on sin while showing love to sinners. God’s love draws us close, offering forgiveness and adoption into His family. Don’t take this beautiful invitation of adoption into God’s family for levity. At the cross, God’s holiness and love meet. His wrath against sin was satisfied, but His mercy overflowed to mankind (John 3:16). Think of a strict but loving father. He disciplines his child not because he hates him, but because he wants the child to grow rightly. God’s fearsome holiness disciplines us, but His love embraces us back into fellowship. God’s love should draw us into intimacy, not away in fear.
God’s forgiveness reveals Him as a fearsome God who loves. His mercy should lead us to gratitude, reverence, forgiveness of others, holy living, and a closer walk with Him. The God who is fearsome in holiness is the same God who is limitless in love. The more we understand God’s forgiveness, the deeper our reverence, gratitude, and obedience should be. He wants us to tremble at His majesty yet rest in His mercy. The safest place for humanity is not to run from this fearsome God, but to run into His loving arms through Christ Jesus.
PRAYER
Jehovah, Jesus Christ, Holy Michael.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the forgiveness we find in You. Help us never to take Your mercy and love for granted, but to walk in awe, gratitude, and obedience each day. Teach us also to extend forgiveness to others as You have forgiven us, in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.