When a broken relationship is restored, there is a sense of relief and satisfaction. All it takes is an offense or something more severe, and that could be the end of a relationship for years or sometimes for a lifetime. People often hold grudges and won’t give in or forgive. 

But God in his mercy responds differently, even from long ago in Old Testament times. He has always provided a way to restore the relationship with God. With a simple recognition of the offense or sin, one could approach God with an offering with the help of the priest, and God would forgive the offense. The relationship with God would be restored and people can go on with their lives with the freedom and joy that God gives. 

The verses below is just a sample of the entire chapter where God’s forgiveness is offered to people who are clearly guilty of sinning against God. Being merciful and kind, God never wants a broken relationship to remain like that. He provided a way. As you read the verses below, reflect on God’s live and care for people: 

17 “If a person sins, and commits any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the Lord, though he does not know it, yet he is guilty and shall bear his iniquity. 18 And he shall bring to the priest a ram without blemish from the flock, with your valuation, as a trespass offering. So the priest shall make atonement for him regarding his ignorance in which he erred and did not know it, and it shall be forgiven him. 19 It is a trespass offering; he has certainly trespassed against the Lord.” (Leviticus 5:17-18)

Then, reflect on Jesus who became the sacrifice once and for all times for all the sins of people. The sacrifices that had to be continuously offered now are no longer needed. Just turn to Jesus and ask him for forgiveness. His own sacrifice over two thousand years ago can be applied to your life. 

Go for it. Experience that forgiveness, restoration, and peace that he offers. 

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Usually we see him as poised and determined in his approach. But seeing Jesus as one who cries out loud and full of tears?

Jesus was actually poised, determined, and confident. But just like you and me, life was tough on him. The things he faced in life far exceed our experiences. But he was able to remain confident in all situations.

His confidence rested in his relationship with his Father, with whom he could share his deepest pain and struggles that could not be expressed to anyone else.

“In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.” (Hebrews 5:7)

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Darkness and light in the physical realm is most visible to us and we behave and respond accordingly. But there’s an inner reality that transcends the external visible realm.

What have you been worried about lately? The bigger question is whether there is light within you. That changes your perception and your reality.

“Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” (John 11:9,10)

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The root is repentance. Without healthy roots, the tree won’t survive.

The fruit is revival. Good roots produce stable trees and great fruit.

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If you’ve got these qualities, you won’t go with the crowd. But you may irritate many and seem like an oddball.

“And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God”

(1 Corinthians 2:1-5 NKJV)

Determination – Purposeful limitation of “knowledge” to give focus where focus is rightfully due.

Discipline – Not to impress even though capable of such actions.

Demonstration – The Spirit and power needs to be demonstrated to ensure that one’s faith should not rest in the wisdom of men.

I’d rather be an oddball.

It’s all about value. Talk is cheap. Words can be sweetened by any wordsmith to the point that it’s meaningless.

One’s life speaks volumes. Learn to “listen” to people’s lives rather than to their words.

“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24 NKJV).

That’s an odd question. You’d assume that his plans would surely work since he is God. So maybe this is an invalid question. But when you see the events of your life unfold, you begin to wonder: Will God’s plans work out? It sure doesn’t seem like it. 

When Isaiah spoke about the destruction of Assyria, he said: “For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will anul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?” (Isa 14:27)

In this situation, God was stretching out his hand against the nation of Assyria in judgment. But no one could oppose God or change his plans. Once he plans something and takes a step, it’s final. 

When God decides on something for destruction or blessings, it is final, as good as done. For the Israelites, they stepped out of the covenant with God, and he brought punishment using the Babylonians and Assyrians. Then he decided to punish both of these nations, and it was done!

But what if the Israelites remained in a proper relationship with God and kept the covenant? The blessings he promised would surely flow into every area of their lives. 

Of course, we know from the book of Job that bad things do happen to those who follow God and remain obedient. But could we consider Job’s situation as an exception rather than the rule? His situation was that of utter destruction. But periodic negatives like pain and sickness may occur, like everyone else. 

But what if we stay focused on God? Allow his Spirit to lead you. Make obedience the pattern of your life. Pass on your faith and dedication to the generations that come after you. Let the legacy of faith define your generations. 

Then, as God stretches out his hand of blessings, no one can stop him. His decision is final. Unlike the Israelites, you can decide to walk in the ways of God. Let obedience to God be your pattern of life. 

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When you’ve been abused verbally, mentally, emotionally, or physically, the wounds go deep into your soul. Your response may be quite explosive. Some may wish to retaliate with equal force, but with a vengeance. 

The Israelites experienced abuse to the wildest extent. Not just a few people, but the entire nation faced the utter cruelty of the Babylonians. When you recount all they did to the people and to their land, it was nothing short of evil. 

In the midst of all this, God was merciful to his people. He worked miracles to allow them to return to their land after 70 years in captivity. God fulfilled his promise to them that he would relent from his anger and return them to their promised land. 

But what about their abusers? What happened to the nation that caused all this havoc? The Babylonians were an inherently cruel and proud nation. Abuse and oppression were their tactics as they dealt with the nations surrounding them. They were the most powerful nation of their time, and no nation could stand up to them. But God had another plan. 

Here is the prophecy spoken against Babylon: “Behold I will stir up the Medes against them, who will not regard their silver; and as far as for gold, they will not delight in it” (Isa 13:17 NKJV). History shows that the Medo-Persian empire took over Babylon and became the world power of that time, replacing Babylon’s long-standing position. 

 The powerful often take advantage of the weak and vulnerable ones. With abuse and oppression, they rule and conquer. They begin to think their position of dominance will never be shaken. But God has designed a sort of “historical oscillation” that re-balances the power structures. 

Yes, we should stand up for ourselves when taken advantage of, but there’s no need for fear. Even if you don’t stand up for yourself, God has designed history to re-balance for the sake of justice. God will handle your abuser. 

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King David gave an offer to God that seemed like it would be too good for God to pass up. He wanted to build a temple for God (2 Samuel 7:1-5 NKJV). What a great thought. So commendable for anyone to take such an important step. 

But the problem is that the motivation that drove David to do this was that of guilt. David had already built a mansion for himself, and building a temple for God was only an afterthought. In his statement he reveals the comparison that he lived in a “house of cedar” while God’s ark was in a tent. 

Although Nathan the prophet initially told David to go ahead and begin the building project, God spoke to Nathan and declared that he doesn’t want David to build a temple. God said to David, “Would YOU build a house for me to dwell in?” (v.5) He also said: “For I have not dwelt in a house since the time that I brought the children of Israel up from Egypt, even to this day, but have moved about in a tent and in a tabernacle” (v. 6)

Later, God says “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What house will you build for me? says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest?” (Acts 7:44-50) From God’s response, it is clear that no one can build a dwelling for God to rest. It is impossible. God never wanted that. He wanted to dwell with the people. He wanted to dwell in their hearts, not a building, no matter how magnificent. 

In Ezra 3:12, when the older men saw the new temple’s foundation, they wept aloud as they had seen the former temple. After 70 years of exile in Babylon, when the temple was rebuilt, the elders cried for the glory of the former temple. It seems they never cried about the people leaving the covenant God made with them. But it is clear that the focus had already shifted from God to the temple. 

In Mark 13:1,2, when the disciples saw the temple, they were awed by its magnificence. But Jesus clearly alerted them that before long, not one stone would be left on another. This magnificent structure will be destroyed by Israel’s enemies. The glory of their nation was based on the great structures of the land instead on the God who made them a nation in the first place. Let’s be careful to keep God in the center of our faith, and every aspect of our lives. 
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It sure seemed like God was the cause of Israel’s pain. After all, God is the one who “whistled” for the nations to come plunder God’s people (Isa 7:18). He is the one who controlled the nations and engineered the utter devastation of the nation of Israel. 

But in chapter 12 of Isaiah, a song of praise by the people claims that God is their salvation (12:2). Really? So God brought destruction and later restored the people, and thus became their savior? You might say this is fallacious and at best deceptive.

You can compare this to a doctor performing an operation on a patient. Although the patient has a disease or malfunction within, he is still able to walk around and perform most daily tasks. The patient looks fine, but internally, he is headed for disaster. 

The operation causes “damage” and pain, but removes the internal problem. The patient may have walked into the hospital on their own, but after the surgery and recovery, he has to return home on a wheelchair. By all external indicators, his condition has declined. 

So, yes, God is the cause of their pain, and ultimately he has a plan for them. God’s plan is not to destroy them but to bless them and to give them a great future. The only way they can have that wonderful future is for the people to walk in God’s ways. 

Thus we come to this song of praise in Isaiah 12, where the people acknowledge God as their savior. All of what God did was part of God’s plan to save them from their own vices and the trajectory of decline and ultimate disaster. 

When God’s work in restoration is complete, they can speak to the nations (12:4) and declare His deeds to them. This was exactly God’s plan for his people. To walk in God’s ways, and to declare to the nations the deeds of their savior. 

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