The Peacemakers

“I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou sleekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?”

— 2nd Samuel 20:19

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

— Matthew 5:9

Solomon under the inspiration of the Spirit writes,

“There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city, yet no man remembered that same poor man…[1]

This nameless woman saves the day with the kind of wisdom Solomon describes in Ecclesiastes. She boasts not in her own righteousness, but in the Lord’s grace that has made the town of Abel and its inhabitants part of the Lord’s covenant people. Her calling and election has been made sure by years of walking with the Lord and meditating on the scriptures. “For the LORD’S portion is his people, Jacob is the lot of his inheritance[2].”

As we meditate on the scriptures we become more conformed to Christ. Where it says, “Be strong and very courageous[3]” this woman was empowered by the Lord to confront a mighty man of war alone and negotiate peace for her town. “Blessed are the peacemakers[4]” the Lord tells us, and so she brings a message of peace. “When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, “Thy face, LORD, will I seek[5].” The Lord’s grace leaves its mark on us, bringing forth fruit in its season[6]. At any age or stage of life He has ordained good works for us[7] to do and He will see to it that we accomplish them. May He satisfy you with long life and show you his salvation[8].

Scripture References: [1] Ecc 9:14-15 [2] Deut 32:9 [3] Josh 1:7 [4] Mth 5:9. [5] Ps 27:8 [6] Ps 1:3 [7] Eph 2:10 [8] Ps 91:16

Is God Cruel?

My heart hurts for those who believe that God is cruel and unfair because He allows chaos and suffering. My heart hurts for those who have read or hear of God's wrath in the Old Testament and think that can't be a god worth serving.

It is important to understand that God’s ways are not our ways. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.” Isaiah 55:8

Our carnal sense of fairness is nothing compared to God's perfect justice. Our limited human faculties cannot comprehend God's sovereignty.

Consider Ecclesiastes 9:2: “All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.”

Everyone, both “good” and “evil”, is subject to that one unavoidable event, death. On top of that, both “good” and “evil” are subject to both mercy and torment.

"I form the light, and create darkness. I make peace, and create evil. I the LORD do all these things." — Isaiah 45:7

You can say, “life is unfair”, but it is incorrect and blasphemous to say that God is unfair. "There is no unrighteousness in him" says the Lord, quoting Psalm 92:15.

It is fair to say that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. The correct question then would be, "why are ANY of us saved at all?" That surely isn't "fair."

So, what is God’s purpose with us and why is he deserving of our worship? What does he want with creation if we are all subject to torment and death? Though many of his ways are unsearchable to us, he has made certain things known through his Word.

First, we can know that the God of the Bible demands all glory and worship. In Reformed churches you will hear the words, "Soli Deo Gloria" that is, for the glory of God alone. This is his end goal and he will achieve it especially by delivering His people through sore trials. What is the chief end of man? Asks the Heidelberg Catechism. Answer: To glorify God, and enjoy him forever. Through salvation God's mercy is glorified. In eternal punishment His justice is glorified.

However, He is not sadistic as some would accuse him of being. “For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” Ezekiel 18:32 But if man will not repent, he alone is responsible and sin must be punished either by the cross or by the lake of fire. He is not like a human judge that can be coerced or bribed.

Second, we can know that God is perfectly holy and that he abhors all sin, even the littlest lies. He will not accept us “as we are” with these little (or big) sins lingering in our hearts. The Law of God applies to our thoughts and desires, not just our external acts. In the Levitical Law, even sins of ignorance had to be atoned for with a sacrifice. "Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults." Ps 19: 12

God demands that we make atonement through Jesus Christ and it is clear in the Word that Christ is the only path to God the Father. "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man cometh to the Father but by me." John 14:6

God’s covenant with creation is not a promise of health, wealth, and prosperity (although in Christ we have all of these things), but of peace through affliction because of what Christ has done in our hearts.

"In righteousness shalt though be established: Thou shalt be far from oppression, for thou shalt not fear, and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. Behold they shall surely gather together, but not by me. Whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake." Isaiah 54:14-15

Notice Isaiah's words. Oppression is far from the Church because our hearts are established in God's righteousness. Perfect love casteth out fear (1st John 4:18). Yes, Christ's enemies shall surely gather together. There will be opposition and persecution throughout the Christian life but because God has decreed final victory we shall overcome all of these things.

"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." Romans 8:37

God's promise is that if we obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ, then our lives will continue after our physical deaths and we’ll experience the new heavens and the new earth in eternity. This is the promise of life everlasting. Outside of Christ, a physical death means only an eternity of torment.

Dear God, please give us the eyes to see and the ears to hear, so that we may know you better through your Word.

“For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.”

-2 Chronicles 30:9

But GOD who is Rich...

“And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live” — Ezekiel 16:6

Image credit: Jill Sauve via Unsplash creative commons license

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)…” — Ephesians 2:4-5

The people of God do well to remember that no one who is elect of God is so because they are “better” than others, or because God foresaw some potential good in them. Indeed, believers can sin as much as the ungodly. It is GOD who is rich in mercy that glorifies himself in our salvation. He does not “reward us” with salvation, it is not something we can ever possibly deserve. The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people[1]…. For my strength is made perfect in weakness.[2]

Just as there is nothing special in us at present, nor anything good we may do in the future that causes God to elect us, he does not consider our past — our nationality, heritage, upbringing or the righteousness of our parents in His decision in who to save. Thy birth and thy nativity is of the land of Canaan; Thy father was an Amorite, and thy mother was an Hittite[3].

If the Bible tells us to owe no man anything[4] then surely God will not be indebted to any of us. Instead let us pray that he would beautify us with salvation[5] for His name’s sake.

“And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name’s sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.”

Selah.

Scripture References: [1] Deut 7:7 [2] 2nd Cor 12:9 [3] Ezk 16:3 [4] Rom 13:8 [5] Ps 149:4