Justice and Love

I've been reading through "The Law". I specifically went to Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. I had read David's declaration, "Oh, how I love Your law!" I figured that if I didn't, there must be something I was missing. I prayed that God would show me what it was.

Sometimes it's been a tough read; not necessarily because of the repetition of details and the multitude of laws that make no sense to my head (you are then to call your brother-in-law the unsandled one...??), but because I have had to stare directly into the fury of an angry God. The curses that poured from God's mouth in Deuteronomy 28 this morning turned my stomach. I think my life is posh enough that I really had no idea of the intense holiness that God demands from His people. Yes, I've had rules that left me in a stranglehold; but did I ever comprehend God's fearsome holiness? Do I yet? I believe I'm coming to the point where I am falling, trembling, before this Holy, Holy, Holy LORD. Even the slightest hint of sin leaves God in His purity roaring with indignation.

"Wow, that's a pleasant thought for a Monday morning." God gave the law; take it up with Him. Actually, it is a glorious thought; a radically life transforming concept. We've sometimes had the impression that the God of the Old Testament is a God of fire and wrath and the God of the New Testament is a God of love, love, love. The lyrics of one of the songs that plays on our Christian radio station bears this out; "All that really matters is love..." I soundly disagree. In fact, I turn the radio off when that song comes on. The Bible demands that we look into the perfection of our God; it is also replete with mentions of God's love and compassion; of His infinite mercy that hold back His raging wrath so that He can show forgiveness and grace to His people. When we read of Christ's sacrifice in light of God's intense wrath, we realize just how much God longs to throw open His arms and have those who are created in His image come running to the safety of His equally intense love. All of that infinite fury at the vile putridness of our sin came crushing in on our perfect Saviour.

"My Lord, what love is this that pays so dearly
That I the guilty one, may go free
Amazing love oh what sacrifice
The Son of God giv’n for me
My debt He pays and my death He dies
That I might live, that I might live
And so they watched Him die
Despised, rejected but
Oh the blood He shed flowed for me
And now this love of Christ
Shall flow like rivers
Come wash your guilt away, live again!"
Graham Kendrick: Copyright © 1989 Make Way Music.)