Amid the rebuke and the pronouncement of judgment declared in Zephaniah, there reigns a theme of God’s grace and perfect love toward the sinner. We see throughout the impending judgment and wrath of God, a thread of hope for mankind. When perfect love and judgment meet, where are you?
Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you, before the day of the Lord’s anger come upon you. Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger. Zephaniah 2:1-3
Therein, we find our hope. Gather together all you sinners, deserving of God’s wrath; and, seek the Lord. Seek His righteousness and seek meekness; so that, you may be hid in Him during the day of the Lord’s anger. A righteous and just God must cry out against the sin and the evil of this world; otherwise, His Perfect Love is thwarted. There can be no semblance of perfect love, were that not judgment against the evil that destroys us from within.
Perfect Love Demands Justice
Even in judgment, God is still a God of love. And He judges because it is essential for Him to judge that which is evil. He does that because He has to be true to Himself, and He could not be good to His creatures unless He did that. If God is going to permit sin throughout eternity, if God does not intend to judge sin, if you and I are going to have to wrestle with disease and with heartbreak and with disappointment and with sorrow throughout eternity, I cannot conceive that He is a God of love. But if you tell me that God is going to judge sin, that He is coming in with a mighty judgment, and that He is going to remove sin from His universe, I’m going to say “Hallelujah!” And I will believe He is a God of love.1
So, it remains; in a book proclaiming judgment, God’s mercy and love is repeatedly proclaimed. His voice continues to call to each sinner, “Come and be cleansed by the blood of Christ Jesus.” “It is a glorious, wonderful thing to be hidden in the cleft of the rock and to be covered by His wings.”2
Love and Judgment Meet as One
There is no place in all of history that declares this truth more clearly than the cross. There is a song that Avalon sings which perfectly portrays this. The lyrics are as follows:
“Where Joy And Sorrow Meet”
by David James White
There’s a place of quiet stillness ‘tween the light and shadows reach
Where the hurting and the hopeless seek everlasting peace
Words of men and songs of angels whisper comfort bittersweet
Mending grief and life eternal where joy and sorrow meetThere is a place where hope remains
In crowns of thorns and crimson stains
And tears that fall on Jesus’ feet
Where joy and sorrow meetThere’s a place the lost surrender and the weary will retreat
Full of grace and mercy tender in times of unbelief
For the wounded there is healing, strength is given to the weak
Broken hearts find love redeeming where joy and sorrow meetThere’s a place of thirst and hunger where the roots of faith grow deep
And there is rain and rolling thunder when the road is rough and steep
There is hope in desperation there is victory in defeat
At the cross of restoration where joy and sorrow meet3
GOD’S PERFECT LOVE AMID JUDGMENT
Although, Israel had sinned against God repeatedly, His covenant love held fast. They would once more face judgment for their sin; because, God knew that sin would destroy them. Evil within their hearts would prevent their ever knowing the sweetness of His presence among them. Sin would destroy their hearts; bringing evil and chaos within. Yet, even during their coming captivity; a remnant of faithful believers would emerge. From that remnant through the corridors of time, Jesus would come to die on the cross.
Last week, I allowed anger to enter my heart and wrote a letter I wish I could retrieve. God’s judgement for my act would be deserved. My only hope, is that with a humbled heart; I will send an apology for that letter. I was wrong. Now, as I turn my heart in repentance to the one I most offended; I plead as did David.
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. (Psalm 51:3-4).
Now, with a humbled and contrite heart; I turn to God, seeking mercy. Whatever, the judgment may be; I accept. Then, I lay it all before the throne of Christ; where His mercy will carry me to where ever He leads today.
Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger (Zephaniah 2:3).
Concluding Thoughts
Where will you be when God calls His judgment upon the earth? Will you be held tight within His Perfect love, or continue to turn from Him?
CONCLUDING TWEETS
[tweetthis]At the foot of the cross, mercy is found for the sinner’s cry[/tweetthis]
[tweetthis]Where will you be when judgment comes? Hidden in His Perfect Love or Not[/tweetthis]
[bctt tweet=”Humbly, seek the Lord and His righteousness today; the day of the Lord draws near” username=”effiedarlene”]
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. Because there is nothing more important than this, I urge you to seek Him today.
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. 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.
1 J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee: Volume III: Proverbs through Malachi, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1982), 869
2 Ibid.,871
3David James White, Where Joy and Sorrow Meet, Avalon Lyrics, accessed October 25, 2017, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/avalon/wherejoyandsorrowmeet.html
Picture used by permission. “A Sinner’s Cry” by Ronald Barba