Title Deuteronomy 32:28~43 (June 6, 2011)
Contents
Title: Judgment and Restoration
Main text: (Deuteronomy 32:28-43)
Hymns: 390. Jesus misses
Date: June 8, 2011 (Wednesday) 5 am
Venue: Jeonju Yebut Church Small Worship Room
The shock we will receive when we experience the wrath of God is immense. God's love for mankind sometimes feels like a lie. However, God's judgment has a clear purpose that humans cannot understand. Let's see through the text what its purpose is.
1. People without wisdom
When God judges Israel, people have various thoughts. First, Israel thinks that God has forsaken them. Conversely, the people used as instruments of judgment think they are better than Israel. They even think they are stronger than God. But all these thoughts are foolish. God loves Israel more than any other nation. There is never giving up in God's love. Even the sins of Israel cannot break God's love for them. Also, all history is under the rule of God. It seems that the Gentiles dominate God's people, but it's not because of the power of the Gentiles. We need to take a look and see if we are such arrogant and foolish people. True wisdom is acknowledging Jehovah in all things.
2. The God Who Judges Enemies
Israel's enemies are deeply delusional. Seeing one overcome a thousand and two over ten thousand, they boast of their greatness. But it's not because of their strength. Because God has decided to judge Israel. Even if you are used as an instrument of God's judgment, if you are not humble, you can eventually become the target of judgment. Are you being used as an instrument of God's righteousness now? Are you in a position to judge someone? If so, you need to be more humble. We must be humble and grateful for being God's instrument. Do not overestimate your own strength and status. All human beings must realize that they are sinners before God, fear God's judgment, and shun sin.
3. God of Restoration
The conversion of judgment into mercy is entirely in God's time. God will judge the peoples who tormented His servants. He will avenge his enemies and atone for the sins of his land and his people. Israel, which was the object of judgment, is now the object of mercy. They died to sin and rose again to righteousness. God judges our sins, but gives us another chance and shows mercy. Judgment is God's love, and mercy is God's love. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, suffered on the cross to show mercy and give us a new life. We have become the beneficiaries of God's grace through union with Jesus Christ.
The ultimate purpose of God's judgment is restoration. God's love is revealed through restoration through judgment. Even if we stand in the judgment seat, we must trust in God who loves and restores us to the end. Also, we must remember that the event in which God's love was revealed in us is the cross.
<Prayer>
1. May our faith be restored and the weakness of the flesh restored!
2. Let the anointing of the Holy Spirit overflow during the worship service!
3. Raise up faithful warriors of intercession, and let the flames of intercession burn!