Late this afternoon there was the most beautiful and perfect rainbow visible in the sky which had me storming out to take a closer look. May I never lose my childlike wonder and awe for this natural phenomenon. As with most things however, this sight also sent my thoughts spiraling off into distant territories.
I was reminded of Noah and how the rainbow was placed in the skies as a reminder that God would never again destroy the whole world in a flood. Today there are many learned, and not-so-learned people, who question the truth of this event, and I have little interest in any of those arguments. What I am more interested in, is the wonder of the event. And I marvel at God behind it all. I marvel at the incredible mercy He displayed in the event. Yes, you read it right. I see that act as one of mercy. You see, I listen to people ranting and raving at the tiny amount of injustice and unrighteousness that they have to deal with and their total lack of pity or mercy for the perpetrators. I don't want to bog you down with negativity, but I do want you to consider some of the horrible headlines that we see too often and the horrendous ordeals that people suffer at the hands of others. If I say words like rape, child abuse, murder, genocide, extremism etc., you will get a glimpse of what I am talking about. Now, imagine being personally involved with each of those victims individually. Can you imagine how devastated you would be?
Now allow yourself to imagine yourself personally involved with each of the perpetrators. Imagine your utter and complete disappointment over their choices. Imagine holding your newborn baby in your arms, gazing down at all that potential. Remember your dreams, your ideals, your aspirations for that child. Now imagine that child turning into a rapist, or a murderer, or a child abuser. How hard would you fight to save that child? Multiply that a million times over.
God made the world perfect. Then came the first act of sin and God had to adjust His plans to accommodate man's sinful nature. He graciously allowed us to die, so that we would not have to live in sin. Lots of time lapsed and sin had embedded itself so deeply in mankind, that God decided to start over with a fledgling group after the flood.
More years pass and God decides to focus in on a particular family who would become His messengers through whom the rest of the world would get to know God, namely Abraham's family, later to become the people of Israel.
In the time of Moses, God decides to give us a list of rules and laws to govern us. These are to be written on our doorposts as a reminder. This fails miserably. God tells Moses to teach these laws in a song, but not even this pedagogical intervention works. The failure is already so complete in the time of Moses, that God decides to wipe out a whole generation and start anew. Right there at the origin of the law already.
Before the promised land is even fully conquered the people of Israel would look for alternative religions, gods and leaders as recorded in the book of the Judges. Then they reject God's relationship model altogether and insist upon having a king. The first one, Saul, fails them. The second one, David, despite many personal failures, manages to keep the people focused upon God. The third one, Solomon, fails so miserably that during the time of his successor, the nation is torn in two and goes to war against each other!
Generation upon generation follows a pattern of idolatry, short-lived repentance, and back-sliding. Throughout this time the voices of the prophets ring with sharp admonition. Finally God decides to once again change his relationship model. This time He is willing to lay everything on the line. He gives Himself. He becomes human. He suffers the same hardships as we do. He is faced with the same hatred and deceit. Satan has it in for Him, because he knows his defeat is drawing near. Believe it when the Bible says He was tested and tried!
Finally Jesus makes the sacrifice to end all sacrifices. He lays down His own life at the hands of His enemies. The partition that stopped people from entering the most holy place in the temple is torn in two and full and complete access to God is achieved. With one huge act of selfless love, Jesus mends the broken relationship between God and man and makes a way for anyone to enter into God's presence, if that is the choice they make. As if that was not enough, God goes even one step further by pouring out His Holy Spirit upon everyone who accepts Him. This is not a singular occurrence upon repentance. God's Spirit comes to stay and abide in us. That means that He moves in and settles down inside of us. By doing that, God writes His laws, His nature, His character, not on walls or door frames, but on our hearts. God is close at hand, personally involved and waiting upon us to allow Him control so that He could work in and through us. He still finds pleasure in allowing us to choose Him, just as He did all those years ago when He gave Adam and Eve the same choice.
Today I saw a rainbow and it reminded me that God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son so that everyone who believes in Him, might not die, but have eternal life.
Today I saw a rainbow.
Today I was seen by God.
Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy the books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
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