God
is the Lord and He does not change (Malachi 3:6). He is the same yesterday,
today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He is not fickle; He does not waffle; and He
is steady, true and totally righteous (Psalm 145:17).
God
is love (1 John 4:8); but He is also just (Deuteronomy 32:4; Job 34:12; Hebrew
6:10). He shows mercy and compassion, but He demands that we live holy lives (1
Peter 1:16).
He
is not a permissive parent and He does not accept our worship in alternative
forms. He does not give us many roads to heaven, but only one - salvation
through Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12).
Why
would Jesus suffer that horrendous torture and death if it was not necessary?
In fact, in the garden prior to the crucifixion, He prayed that if there was
any other way for us to find salvation, that He be spared the cup of God's
wrath.
Yet,
He also prayed, "Not my will, but Yours be done." Jesus was a
submissive sacrificial Lamb up to the last breath of life that He took. It is
glorious to read that God shortened His time of suffering on the cross, and God
does the same thing for us.
Our
trials are shortened due to God's compassion, mercy and grace. He allows
patience to perfect us (James 1:4), and He calls on us to trust only in Him for
our deliverance. He is our only wise God and we give Him all the praise and
honor due to His name (Romans 16:27).
Prayer:
Father
God, You are the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:13-14). Jesus sits beside Your
throne and He will judge the inhabitants of the earth from Adam to the last
survivor when He opens Your books (Daniel 7:9-10). Non-believers will be judged
for their unbelief and the debt of sin they owe (John 3:18); believers for our
rewards according to our works for Your Kingdom (Revelation 22:12).
Thank
You for sending Jesus to pay the sin debt for all of us who believe (John
3:16-17). This free gift is certainly not deserved by us, but Your generous
love pours His sacrifice out as an offering to atone for our unholy deeds. We
look forward to His coming in the clouds for all of His Saints (Revelation 1:7; Mark
14:62)
Thought
for the Day:
In
the presence of the Ancient of Day, Jesus will be given dominion, glory and
God's Kingdom, so that all people, nations and tribes of every language will
worship Him in Spirit and in Truth; this Kingdom is everlasting and will never
be destroyed, and He chose His Saints to rule and reign in it with Him forever.
- Daniel 7:13-14
