He went to his father’s home in Ophrah and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerub-Baal. Judges 9:5 NIV
It was a mobster style hit. Abimelek, Gideon’s son, murdered seventy of his brothers to protect his position. A bloody massacre – no mercy, one lone survivor.
The Bible is full of murder and mayhem.
Horrific, heartbreaking child sacrifice was practiced in the name of molech, a god of the Ammonites. Images of molech were made of bronze, outstretched arms heated red hot. Living children were then placed onto the idol’s hands and burned alive.
Saul, later Paul, was Isis worthy in his stoning and beheading of hundreds of Christians.
Today, we look around at tragedy, illness and evil and think the world’s gone crazy. The world has always been crazy. There’s nothing happening in our current world that hasn’t happened before.
God looked down and saw it all – nothing escapes His gaze.
He watched horrific acts of murder, persecution and baby killing.
He knows more than anyone how far gone we are.
He looks down and sees
• Children being chained.
• People murdered as they pray.
• Materialism, gossip and idol worship.
Evil grieves the heart of God.
He isn’t impotent – the slightest crook of His finger wipes the planet clean.
He always knew the price of free will.
The garden apple wasn’t outside His knowledge or reign.
Freedom comes with a cost.
His answer is Himself.
God in flesh.
The Word made man.
The great I AM.
His answer was to leave His throne and trade it for an earthy path that lead to the cross.
A path littered with lost.
Lame and lepers.
Thieves and thugs.
Monks and murderers.
He chose the nails and died for all – He loves us that much.
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
1 John 3:16-18 NIV
Lives laid down.
Crosses picked up.
Whatever kills my flesh is my cross. Click To Tweet
It isn’t about us and them but me and mine.
What things of this world do I put before God?
- • My busy
- • People approval
- • Worldly success
- • Is my family an idol I serve before God?
It keeps me from the kingdom – lay it down in soul surrender.
Lay it all down and come to the well.
Drink and be satisfied.
Living water pours through cracks of brokenness.
He doesn’t waste a tear.
Loyalty divided
There is no light in darkness.
Impure salt, devoid of flavor is useless.
Choose this day whom I will serve.
I cannot serve with a foot in two kingdoms.
I must choose.
Self and satan or Lord and life.
Life or death, in or out.
No middle ground.
Luke warm fence riders offend.
Pretense without pledge.
Counterfeit commitment.
Step up and step out.
Leave comforts for commands.
One touch of His robe changes my soul.
Face fear – fear of rejection and the unknown.
Let God take me on His wild, out of control, grace filled adventure.
Share the good news.
I am His life saving, life giving delivery system.
By the blood of Christ, we are forgiven and free.
May I not be lulled to sleep under a blanket of clueless comfort.
Dangerous deceit.
Wordless witness.
Let my life reflect the radical love of my Lord with actions and truth.
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8 NIV
Send me to the woman who needs prayer.
Send me to the neighbor who’s husband is in the hospital.
Send me to the foster child.
Send me to those in convalescent homes who are alone.
Send me to the boy who can’t read.
Send me, Lord, send me.
Nancy E. Head
February 2, 2018It’s one of the most difficult issues for Christians to answer–evil. You do a great job here though! God bless!
Liz
February 2, 2018Hi Nancy! Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. It means a lot – it is a difficult answer. I’m not sure a human brain can comprehend divine but I believe God is who He says He is – good, faithful, compassionate, love. I have a feeling you do too. Blessings sister!
Edna Davidsen
February 3, 2018Dear Liz
I’m a first-timer here on your blog.
It’s a great blog you have here; I’m sure I’ll come back for more another day.
Yes, the Bible is, as you say, full of murders and stories about people who cannot be trusted.
The favourite part of this particular blog post was where you write this:
“Today, we look around at tragedy, illness and evil and think the world’s gone crazy. The world has always been crazy. There’s nothing happening in our current world that hasn’t happened before.”
It’s deliberating to see it from this perspective.
And this is exactly what the Christian faith add to our lives – a perspective that is bigger than we can find elsewhere.
You wrote God knew the price of free will.
That’s a great way of explaining it.
God is not some police officer who’s watching us.
We’re in charge, but all we have is something we’ve got from Him.
We cannot serve with a foot in two kingdoms as you say.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this topic with your audience.
God bless!
Edna Davidsen
Liz
February 3, 2018Hi Edna! Welcome! Thanks for reading and for a most excellent comment – it truly blessed me. I love how you say God is not a police officer. So often, that is the view of Him. His laws are for our protection and we obey out of love and commitment for Him. Thank you for including me in your group – I’m excited to participate and grow with everyone. ❤️
Lisa Quintana
February 4, 2018Hey Liz! I like how you write – very poetic; that is a great way to tie the heart and the head issues of the faith together, just like the Psalmist has done. As a Christian apologist (one who defends against criticisms of the faith), the “problem of evil” is perhaps the one most often brought up as a reason not to believe in God. Sadly, I think many people misunderstand free will. Like you so aptly stated, “He always knew the price of free will.” Absolutely! When God created the world, He knew He’d have to die for it. He did it anyway, knowing that those who freely chose to believe in Him were worth it in the long run. And those who chose to reject Him, are also free to do so. Thanks for a great post! God bless you.
Liz
February 4, 2018Hi Lisa! Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment – it really means a lot. Yes! I am continually stunned by His great love – that He knew He had to die for us and did it anyway. In spite of the evil, rebellion and sin. Amazing grace. Thanks for a great comment – you made my day!