God As A Two-Sided Cloud?

Before I began blogging, the Lord had given me a keen awareness of how contrast enhances life experiences and truth (and so many other things!)...All throughout scripture we notice God using contrasts to teach or instruct or to guide...contrasts between good and evil, light and dark, night and day, holy and common, flesh and spirit...

After reading the account of Israel being delivered from Egypt through the Red Sea, I found myself meditating on the Cloud. The Cloud lead them to the Sea, lead them into the Sea, and then when they were half way through, it circled around behind them and became a divider between Israel and her salvation, and the Egypt and it's doom.

The cloud was light on one side, giving light to Israel so they could see and move forward into their freedom. The cloud was dark on the otherside, hindering the sight of Egypt, confusing them and eventually drowning them in the sea.

On the one side of the cloud was the Merciful One rescuing Israel from bondage. On the other side was Egypt being judged by the Just One.

Have you perceived the darkness surrounding us? Our culture embraces things that God forbids and despises. He hates disobedience, rebellion, and pride. Yet these things are not only tolerated, they are celebrated...

But what is so beautiful in the midst of the darkness is the LIGHT!!! As darkness accumulates, those who are walking in the Light shine brighter. In our obedience, submission and humility, the Light of Jesus is more noticable because of the contrast. Let us who are in Christ, His chosen ones, be ever mindful to walk in the Light to make God known to those who are lost in darkness.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth), and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret, But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. Ephesians 5:8-14 

FIRE!

This is a fire we had to get rid of some old decking this summer. The second photo is taken with the fire behind me of our barns to show how much light the fire was giving off. It really was dark at the time of the fire...

When God lead Israel out of Egypt, at night His Presence with them was fire to give them light

We don't like to talk often about God's judgement, we like to talk about His love, His protection, His gifts, His help, etc...and we should, but the "other side" of His Goodness (if I can use the image of Him having a "side") is His wrath...

In my daily reading, I keep seeing the word "fire". Jeremiah is warning of the coming judgement on the sin of God's people. God uses fire for punishment, in order to bring destruction on Israel. At the same time, in Thesselonians, Paul is talking about the last days...the judgement coming on the whole earth. Look at these passages: (all bold and italicized~by me)

Jeremiah 21:14 I will punish you as your deeds deserve, declares the LORD. I will kindle a fire in your forests that will consume everything around you.' "

Leviticus 10:2 So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD.

2 Thess 1:6-10 This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 8He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power 10on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.

2 Peter 3:10-12.But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.[a]That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

Hebrews 12:27-29 27 The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29for our "God is a consuming fire."

Last Wednesday, we watched Louis Giglio's "Indescribable" dvd. In it, he described creation by God as an incredible fiery force coming from His mouth as He spoke the light into existence, based on the speed of light...Louis said he laughs when people say they wish they were there!

What exists that cannot be destroyed or consumed by fire? The things that come to mind are...

1. Fire. (light)

2. Treasure. (ie gold, silver, precious metals...)

2 Corinthians 4:6,7 6For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"[a]made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

The above passage reminds me of Gideon's army. God gave them victory when they broke their clay jars that had torches inside. The enemy fell at the sound of the trumpet and the breaking of jars to reveal the fire...We believers have the victory over our enemy!

The Lord makes it clear that He is coming back in all of His Glory (which I imagine to be fiery!). For those of us who have made Christ our treasure, who have received His gift of salvation, and live holy lives (lives set apart to Him, lived for His glory in obedience and purity...walking in repentance, who have their treasure in heaven and not on this earth) to those who have this eternal fiery treasure in our clay bodies...we will not be consumed:

Lamentations 3:21-23

21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Children of God have His fire inside and will not be consumed when the fire from God falls...Glory Glory! This should humble us and give us a renewed awe at the love of Christ in His enduring the cross (absorbing the fiery wrath of God) on our behalf. Halleluiah!

A Voice Calling...

...the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

"A voice of one calling in the desert,

'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.

Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low.

The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.

And all mankind will see God's salvation.' "

John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." Luke 3:2-9

In "Twelve Ordinary Men" by John McArthur, I remember reading about how John the Baptist was confronting, and Jesus was merciful. It seems they were the perfect balance of judgement and mercy. This got me thinking about different personalities and different "leanings" that God has placed in His people. We know that God creates each of us for His specific purposes, and that it is He that "leans" us, I'm in awe at His wisdom once again.

John came to confront. He was to pave the way for Jesus. He was calling to repentance so that mercy could be poured out. Mountains of pride needed to be brought down, and valleys of despair needed to be filled in with love. Scripture tells us that John came in the spirit of Elijah. Remember that Elijah was "confronting" too. He was confronting the evil in King Ahab, and Jezebel. He also confronted all the prophets of Baal. Now John comes, and here he is confronting the pharisees (the religious folk who thought they "had it in the bag" because they were descendants of Abraham) with what is really in their hearts. Something has to be broken before it can be fixed. Our hearts. John came as the "breaker" and Jesus came as the "healer". What wondrous wisdom!

In the account of John, in Luke 3, John's life ended because he confronted Herod and his mistress regarding their sin. He had accomplished what God had prepared him for. His purpose was not glamorous. What he ate were not delicacies (not in my book at least!:-0) and what he wore were not the fashions of the day...but...he did what he was called to do. He was faithful to his calling. No matter what. He was set apart, and had a one-track mind. God.

Scripture tells us that the law was given to lead us to the Savior. It was a mirror to show us that we do not "have it in the bag"; we are sinful. We need a Savior. Without repentance and mercy, if we even commit one sin, we are doomed to eternity without God. Without Good. Without Beauty. Without Music. Without Joy. Without Love. Without Light. Without Life. Without Provision. Without Peace. Without Kindness. Without Gentleness....the list is endless. Only with God do we experience these things.

The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more...Romans 5:20

Grace. When we get what we don't deserve. When we don't get what we deserve. Jesus' gift-free, we can't earn it by being good, it is simply appropriated by faith.

Our awareness of sin must come before we receive the gift of salvation. Mercy triumphs over judgement, but judgement must come first. The law was given for this reason. Just like the messiah wouldn't come until Elijah came, so forgiveness doesn't come without repentance.

Oh Lord, thank you that you fulfill your purpose for each of your children. Thank you that you create through us, that you live through us. May we be found faithful to our calling, and may we honor one another. Help us to value one another even when our ways differ. Help us to love one another freely and unconditionally. Thank you for the law and for mercy and grace. Thank you that you didn't leave us in our sin, but made a way back home. In Jesus' name, Amen.