Yes, beyond any shadow of doubt, I know that God is Love. Furthermore, I know that He reigns supreme overall. These for me are indisputable facts shown forth in scripture, history, and in my own life. Were I to proceed to tell you all the reasons why I know these truths are evident, alive and irrefutable, I would be writing well into eternity listing all the evidence! Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? (Psalm 139:6-7). You will show me the path of life. In Your presence is fullness of joy. (Psalm 16:11) He is my joy, my hope, my greatest treasure, then why as I look around me today, I feel so desperately sad?
As I watch all that is happening in this nation, my heart is broken, my eyes filled with tears. Understanding the truth burdens my heart with grief as I watch a nation so filled with blindness. You see, I know that God is Love. But for His love to be perfect, He must be just. He cannot love the evil perpetrated against His children. How He longs that all would come to Him, seeking His gift of salvation. However, true love cannot demand our devotion. For true love to exist it must allow for choice. Still, justice cannot allow humanity to run continuously in contrary to God’s perfect plan, believing themselves the creators of their own destiny.
So, as I see so many blinded by their own self ambition with their hearts hardened against the very one who willingly paid the price of their sin, so they could be justified and held as His beloved children; then, I feel so desperately sad.
Feeling So Desperately Sad
Since God is my joy, is it wrong to feel so desperately sad? Were that to remain the central core of my existence, perhaps. But it is not. Instead, as I pondered that question, I turned to look at Daniel.
Daniel knew God intimately. He had experienced the miraculous providential care and witnessed the supremacy of God over all nations. Having seen the hand of God intervene and care so lovingly for His people (the remnant of faithful believers), even though that did require such harsh punishment and wrath to be poured out on those who failed to heed the warnings. So, patiently God had advised, warned, and foretold in detail what would happen. Yet, the people and leaders had stiffened their necks and hardened their hearts against God. Daniel witnessed Emperors rise and emperors fall, knowing the providential hand of God ordained it all. He fully understood how God allowed what He hates to accomplish what He loves at times. Furthermore, he saw the pagan Nebuchadnezzar come to acknowledge God as the one and only true God, a miracle itself.
God blessed Daniel with such knowledge, the future of all of humanity through great prophecies. He has sent Gabriel on multiple occasions to speak with Daniel; yet Daniel mourned bitterly for his nation at one point late in his life. He was so desperately sad that he could not eat nor even bathe.
Daniel 10:
In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message and had understanding of the vision. 2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. 3 I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
Daniel, knowing that God is Love, was desperately sad. He knew and understood all what God had prophesied. The victory would be the Lords, but how long must humanity persist in their sin and devastation? How many would fall into judgement, never turning to acknowledge God as King of their lives? For this he wept and mourned with a heart totally broken.
God is Love, He sends a Messenger
4 Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the Tigris, 5 I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz! 6 His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude.
7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. 8 Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength. 9 Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.
This is much bigger than you and me
10 Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. 11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.
12 Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”
15 When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. 16 And suddenly, one having the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength. 17 For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me.”
There is a battle taking place in the spiritual realm.
DO NOT WORRY
18 Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. 19 And he said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!”
So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
20 Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come. 21 But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.
Knowing God Is Love; Yet Feeling So Desperately Sad.
Recently, my own eyes have been opened to see the utter depth of evil that is surrounding us. I weep for the masses so blinded to the truth of God. Yes, I know they have chosen; but have we who know the truth done enough to hold fast to the truth? Or have we allowed God’s truth to be watered down. Ignoring all, we have held fast to comfort and prosperity, never realizing the consequences.
As I see the end times looming before us, I feel so desperately sad for all those who are lost. Their eternity lies before them and if they do not turn, repentant for their sin and accept Jesus Christ as Savior, Lord and Master of their life; they will perish. Yet, a little while and judgement comes.
Their foot shall slip in due time;
For the day of their calamity is at hand,
And the things to come hasten upon them.’ Deuteronomy 32:35.
And so, I must begin a fast today. For how long, I do not know. But I know God is love and if I feel so desperately sad, then He is calling me to action and I must heed His call whatever lies before me. Oh, call to action is one of ministry, teaching and spreading His word. Never is it a call to violence, read His words.
Psalm 61 A Prayer today
Hear my cry, O God;
Attend to my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For You have been a shelter for me,
A strong tower from the enemy.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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Disclosures
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Credits
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash