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Just Yet Merciful

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In chapters one and two of Lamentations, the prophet Jeremiah laments the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple. — “How the Lord has covered Daughter Zion with the cloud of his anger!” (Lam. 2:1) — Some may ask how a loving God could display such wrath. Consider that a righteous, holy God must also be a just God. Though the people knew the Lord was righteous, they still rebelled against Him (Lam. 1:18). But, the account doesn’t end there. As we read on in Lamentations, we discover a God who is just yet merciful.

Why a Righteous, Holy God Must be Also be a Just God

Scripture links the righteousness of God with His justice as can be seen in this small sampling of verses:

For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice. (Ps. 11:7)

And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for he is a God of justice. (Ps. 50:6)

May he judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. (Ps. 72:2)

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. (Ps. 89:14; 97:2)

Without a righteous standard “justice is perverted” (Hab. 1:4). Only a righteous God can truly be just. In themselves, people can’t claim to be righteous. We’re too driven by our selfish sin nature which leans toward doing what is right in our own eyes. We often don’t see the big picture and so we fail to always look at the end goal that we be holy as He is holy (1 Pet. 1:15). As a result, we may sometimes look at the justice of God and question His fairness. With a holy God, it’s not about being fair but righteous. His ways are so much higher than our ways (Ps. 36:6; Isa. 55:9) that it is difficult for us to always understand His ways.

God is Just Yet Merciful

As seen in the destruction of Jerusalem, sin has consequences. Don’t think for a moment, however, that God relishes in punishing people. In the third chapter of Lamentations we read, “He does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone” (Lam. 3:33). His righteousness demands it. Yet, His great love and compassion extends mercy when we “return to the LORD” (Lam. 3:40).

Just Yet Merciful God - Mercies New Every Morning

Though Jeremiah lamented the destruction of Jerusalem (Lam. 1-2) and the effect on him personally (Lam. 3), He said, “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lam. 3:23-24)

God judged Israel for their sin but He did not totally consume them. As God, He would have been just in totally destroying them but He is also a merciful God. — “Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.” (Lam. 3:32)

God is righteous and therefore just. Sin must be atoned. The wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). God, however, always makes a way so He remains just yet merciful. God’s justice would, through the Jewish lineage, be met on the cross wherein Jesus took the punishment we deserve. — “God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood – to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished – he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.” (Rom. 3:25-26)

We have a just God who is also merciful because He is the sum total of all His many attributes, all of the time, without fail. Reflect on His various traits using the Our Great God from A to Z Discipleship Tool Download which uses the alphabet to describe who God is.

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Great Yet Approachable

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Take a few moments to think about the God of the Bible. Therein we read about a God who is great yet approachable. From the beginning chapters in Genesis we find a God great enough to create the heavens and earth along with animals and people to populate it. This same God would walk with Adam and Eve in the garden and talk with them until they sinned against Him. Yet, we continue to read throughout Scripture of a great God desirous of a relationship with people, so much so that He sent Jesus so we could be reconciled to Him and live with God throughout eternity (2 Cor. 5:17-21). Scripture concludes with the book of Revelation where we see Him as an awesome and powerful Judge who triumphs over death, Satan, and all else, and reigns supreme. Though this book serves as a warning from a great God, it also ends with a gracious invitation. — “‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” (Rev. 22:17)

A Great God

God who is Great Yet Approachable
(Click to enlarge in Pinterest & repin.)

To be God, He would have to be great — but how great? Certainly He would have to be more powerful than any other force and wiser than the wisest of men or spiritual beings. Scripture describes His greatness and understanding as that which no one can fathom — unfathomable (Ps. 145:3; Isa. 40:28). Read previous articles about His greatness and the difference it makes when we view Him as such:

We could have a large number of expert theologians form a symposium to lecture us on different aspects of God and barely scratch the surface. We could spend a lot of time studying about His character and ways, yet in reality know so little. That’s how great He is!

A God Who is Great Yet Approachable

But, here’s the thing. In all of His unfathomable greatness, the God of the Bible is approachable, having made a way for us to be in fellowship with Himself through Jesus Christ. We can communicate with Him on a personal level. — “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Heb. 4:16) “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (1 Jn. 5:14)

He relates with us as our Father who deeply loves us and cares for us like none other. He’s always working on our behalf for the good (Rom. 8:28). Read the following articles about this approachable God and how we respond when we view Him as such:

This is a God worthy of our full love and devotion. Even when we don’t understand His ways, because of His greatness, we can know that He not only has the power and wisdom to do what is right but the love and compassion to have our best at heart.

We’re blessed with a God who is approachable even though He is so much greater and better than us because He is the sum total of all His attributes, all the time, without fail. For a look at His various traits, order the Our Great God from A to Z Discipleship Tool Download which provides alphabetical renderings of this great yet approachable God.

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Hindrances to Worship

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We acknowledge that God certainly deserves our praise but sometimes we struggle to make worship a priority in our lives. We have access to much teaching and writing on worship to help us. (See: Worship Resources) Still, we sometimes let hindrances to worship keep us from truly worshiping “in spirit and in truth” (Jn. 4:24). Why don’t we always worship as we should?

List of Hindrances to Worship

Hindrances to Worship in The Truth About Worship Discussion Guides

A session in The Truth About Worship Discussion Guides looks at the hindrances listed below. It provides some Scripture and questions to reflect on the effect of these hindrances on us worshiping God.

  • Self

We can let our own needs, convenience, and preferences come above God Himself.

  • Concept of God

A misrepresentation of who God is will cause us to misplace our worship.

  • False Gods

Anything we prioritize above God will pull us away from worshiping the one true God.

  • Our Culture

When we conform to the world around us we lose sight of God.

  • Service

We can get so busy serving that we neglect the God we serve.

  • Unreconciled Relationships

Mistreatment or lack of forgiveness in our relationships with others affects our walk with God.

  • Traditions

Man-made or self-styled worship rather than that which God desires can keep us from truly worshiping.

  • Worship “Props”

When we let forms, styles, facilities, or worship leaders become what worship is about, rather than aid us in worship, they hinder it.

God is so worthy of my complete and undistracted devotion and love expressed through worship! Let’s rise above these hindrances and worship God in spirit and truth.

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A Walk with God That Makes a Difference

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If people look at us as followers of Jesus Christ, do they see something worthwhile? Do we have a walk with God that makes a difference?

Or, do our lives seem empty and without meaning? Do we fall apart when life gets tough? Do we live more in line with what’s comfortable or convenient to us than to the benefit of others? Do we fail to look like the One we claim to follow?

An Acrostic of Essential Characteristics Needed in a Walk with God That Makes a Difference

Walk with God That Makes a Difference
Here is the kind of walk that will tend to catch people’s attention and give them a reason to trust in our God. It’s a walk that lives out the fullness of the life Jesus came to give us, one that makes a difference.

Wisdom – a walk that makes life meaningful
Awareness – a walk that gives a mooring to hold onto
Love – a walk that provides motivation and purpose
Kenosis – a walk that is modeled

WISDOM: We can know all about God and His Word, but if we don’t see the practical implications or relevancy of that knowledge to our everyday living, we will struggle (Col. 1:9-10). We may still feel bound to the emptiness of life because we haven’t learned to walk in the freedom He provides. Contrary to what many people believe, His truth sets us free (Jn. 8:32). In Him we find wisdom for everyday life so we make the most of every opportunity (Eph. 5:15-17; Col. 4:5). — a walk that makes life meaningful

Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. (Ps. 86:11)

I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts. (Ps. 119:45)

AWARENESS: What a difference it makes when we acknowledge the presence of an all-wise, all-powerful, totally righteous yet loving and gracious God in our lives. He promised to never leave or forsake us (Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5). Awareness of the presence of this kind of God leads to hope, comfort, peace, and confidence even in the most difficult circumstances. — a walk that gives a mooring to hold onto

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Ps. 23:4)

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord. (Ps. 89:15)

LOVE: Jesus identified love as the greatest commandment (Matt. 22:37-40). Without love, our best efforts mean nothing (1 Cor. 13:1-3). We can live a life of love and compassion for others because He first loved us (1 Jn. 4:19). His love compels us to go the extra mile, even when it’s not convenient or comfortable. — a walk that provides motivation and purpose

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. (Eph. 5:2, KJV)

KENOSIS: When we’re asked to serve one another in love rather than living an empty life of self-indulgence (Gal. 5:13), we’re not left on our own to figure out how. Jesus showed us the way to live. This theological word, kenosis, describes how Jesus temporarily laid aside His glory in heaven and humbled Himself to come to earth for us as a servant (Phil. 2:5-11). To walk in the footsteps of Jesus, we must realize that this process was as much an attitude as it was an action. — a walk that is modeled

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (Phil. 2:5-7)

 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. (1 Jn. 2:6)

Do these traits characterize your walk with God? If we’re being honest, we would have to admit a need to grow in our walk with Him. — “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (Phil. 3:12)

Click links below for help growing in your walk with God:

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Reasons We Don’t Pray

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Reasons We Don't Pray When We're Exhorted to be Devoted to PrayerWe’re exhorted to be devoted to prayer (Col. 4:2), to pray on all occasions (Eph. 6:18), continually (1 Thess. 5:17), and to not give up (Lk. 18:1). Sometimes, however, we might struggle to remain consistent, wholehearted, and alert in prayer. As we already considered, we have good reasons to pray so it would seem reasons we don’t pray might be more symptomatic of something deeper.

Getting Below the Surface of Reasons We Don’t Pray

We might claim to be ignorant about what to pray and how to pray. Yet, God never made prayer complicated.

Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. (Ps. 62:8)

We might think we’re too busy, too tired, and hence too distracted to pray and get anything out of it. Yet, these the times we most need His help.

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Heb. 4:16)

… those who hope in (wait on) the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isa. 40:31)

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16b)

Perhaps we’re angry or disappointed with God because of what He allowed into our lives even though we prayed. Yet, we humans don’t know better than a God who is holy and righteous, all-wise and sovereign, as well as gracious and loving.

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isa. 55:9)

Maybe we tried and tried and just couldn’t make ourselves pray consistently so gave up because it’s too hard. Yet, God never said it would be easy nor intended for us to “do” the Christian life through self-determination and self-striving.

Cease striving and know that I am God. (Ps. 46:10, NASB)

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. (Eph. 6:18)

For More: Resources on Prayer

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Reasons to Pray

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We have many reasons to pray. — Why do you pray?

Is it because you need something? Jesus did say, “Ask and it will be given to you” (Matt. 7:7). Perhaps you pray because you find comfort in it. That makes sense since you’re praying to the “God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles” (2 Cor. 1:3-4). Maybe you pray because it’s what Christians do. Even back to the Early New Testament Church, Christ-followers devoted themselves to prayer (Acts 2:42).

While we find biblical support for these reasons, some are more self-centered than God-centered. It could be that praying is more learned behavior than from the heart. So, what are some other biblical reasons for praying? What will provide us with the motivation to make prayer a continued priority?

Two Good Biblical Reasons to Pray

Commands: Praying is a matter of obedience to God. (Lk. 18:1; Phil. 4:6; 1 Thess. 5:17)

Duty alone might not keep us praying. If we’re out of fellowship with God, we’ll find it easier to disobey this command. And, if we do pray out of obligation, that is not going to solve the problem of keeping focused when we pray.

Commitment & Cooperation: Praying is a matter of an undivided heart toward God seeking to come into alignment with God. (Ps. 16:1-2; Acts 2:42; Rom. 12:12; Col. 4:2)

Devotion alone might make us want to pray and might put us on the right track to a better prayer life but won’t necessary bring life and energy into it.

The Best Reason for Praying

Communion: Praying is a matter of relationship with God. (Matt. 22:37-38; Jn. 15:5-7)

Delight in the One to whom we pray provides a motivation and passion to pray, and continue praying, that supersedes all other reasons to pray. When we pray because we delight in the Lord, duty and devotion are there but aren’t our main focus. HE is. When praying is about relationship, we enjoy communion with God so much that we keep praying even if we don’t get the responses we hoped to receive.

Resources:
Prayer Bits Devotion to Help You Pray
The Prayer Bits: Small Bits But Big Truths on Prayer Devotional Guide can help you go deeper into truths about prayer without taking a lot of study time.

Prayer Ministry Manual
The Prayer Ministry Manual can help you make prayer more of a priority in your own life as well as in your church or ministry.

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