Why, God? Why?

 

READ: Ezekiel 20:8-13, 30-36

As a young man, I had great difficulty reconciling the God who sacrificed his only son for the sins of the world with the God who judged his chosen people through exile, slavery, rape, and execution. I much preferred the former and oft asked of the latter, “Why, God? Why?”

Why did you hand the people you created over to such cruelty and suffering? Would you do the same to me or to the people I love?

I thought he would, and perhaps justifiably so. 1 Peter 3:12 says, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 

I have done evil by breaking God’s commandments, as have my loved ones, as had God’s chosen people. In fact, Romans 3:12 says, “All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

Do we then deserve to be spared from the evil of others if we ourselves do not do good?

Perhaps, then, we should question not the God who judges, but the God who shows mercy.

Did God not drown the world in the time of Noah? Burn to ashes the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah? Has he not reserved the present heavens and earth for destruction by fire? (2 Peter 2:4-6, 3:10-11)

Why, then, should Jesus come into the world that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life? (John 3:16)

Because we’re sorry? Because we repented? Because we’re going to try harder and do better?

No. The Lord says, “But for the sake of my name …” (Ezekiel 20:9)

The name (or reputation) of God. That’s why the Israelites were delivered from slavery in Egypt, that’s why they were returned from exile in Babylon, and that’s why Christ died for the sins of the world. Because God’s name is synonymous with love, mercy, and grace.

In Ephesians 2:4-5, Paul puts it like this: “Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”

Master of Hearts

2 Peter 2:19 (NIV) They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity--for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. 

What has a strong hold on you?  Is there someone you feel compelled to please?  Do you ever feel you are a slave to something?  I do.  During financially challenging seasons I feel as if I am a slave to my creditors.  Every time I set my mind to get healthy, to lose a few pounds and improve my general physical well-being, I find I am a slave to my taste buds.

The addict is held captive to his craving for that momentary feel-good sensation. An over protective parent is held captive to fear; and the list goes on as you fill in the blank with your strongholds. We all have them even though they change as we change.  What is real freedom?  How does one break the strong holds certain people and things have on us?

Peter is instructing the faithful followers, and that includes you and I, that we have everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us." (2 Peter 1:3) Because of this, we have the power to break all the strongholds in our life.  We have the ability to avoid the slavery of the world by clinging to Jesus.  When we have a strong hold on Him, He becomes our refuge and strength.  He becomes our Master.

Draw near to Jesus every day, all day. When the world closes in, cuddle in the arms of Jesus. When our troubles have a strangle-hold on our hearts, take a strong hold of Jesus.

2 Peter 2