It was the time of the Judges ( not Judges as we know them but local tribal leaders }it is a record of how Israel fared after Joshua died,sad to say it showed that the nation continually deteriorating spiritually.In many ways it was a chaotic time. We have these words which sum up Israels behaviour during this time,'Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord' (13 v1),and so God dealt with them,using the surrounding nations as a rod of correction. This would drive Israel back to their God ,until the next time,but the amazing thing which we see manifested time after time,God showing love, patience, forgiveness, and restoration. It is marvellous beyond words. the love and mercy poured out upon His erring children.It is in that hymn .'The church's one foundation',written by S A.Stone we have these word's ,'By schisms rent asunder,By heresies distressed'. so often the church again and again have fallen short of what it should be.But lets bring it down to a personal level , for so often we walk in our own ways,instead of His ways,causing Him to discipline us, for grieving His Holy Spirit,let us remember that always His purpose is to restore us to Himself.So if today you are under His rod affliction remember in the words of another hymn by James Edneston.
'Then though Thou bend my spirit low
Love only shall I see
The gracious hand that strikes the blow,
Was wounded once for me'
No comments:
Post a Comment