Chapter 48 is about the judgement of Moab. This was a city that also didn't obey God.
7." Since you trust in your deeds and riches, you too will be taken captive..."
Moab was proud of itself,
29. “We have heard of Moab’s pride — how great is her arrogance!— of her insolence, her pride, her conceit and the haughtiness of her heart."
Pride and arrogance can bring any of us down. It's so easy to gain, but gets a hold of us and hurts us before we know it. Thankfully God is a forgiving God.
47. " “Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab in days to come,” declares the Lord. Here ends the judgment on Moab."
In chapter 49 it talks first about the wrongs of Ammon and again this section ends with verse 6 " “Yet afterward, I will restore the fortunes of the Ammonites,” declares the Lord"
Later on we read again about how God restores Elam,
39. " “Yet I will restore the fortunes of Elam in days to come,” declares the Lord"
Even though God is angry and carries out terror on His people for the wrongs they've continually done, He forgives and restores. I want to forgive easier.
We've had an incident happen in my extended family that has made some of us angry, but I have to remind myself that this anger can't last forever and I need to look for restoration and reconciliation. At this stage I don't feel ready for this, but I know I need to get there with God's help. I'm thankful for the examples He's shown about forgiveness.
3 comments:
"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith in the gospel." Philippians 1:27
Since the Philippians were suffering persecution, Paul encouraged them in their Christian life. To act in keeping with the light and truth of the gospel of Christ, to strive for unity, to serve others without selfish ambition, to do everything without complaining, to mature in Christ, and to follow Christ's example.
I know I do not always conduct myself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. An instruction that I need to apply in my life!
"And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."
What a great verse to pass on to graduates during this season of grad!
The same verse stood out for me as it did for Conrad:
"so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit..."
It makes me think about this time of the year as a teacher. You've spent an entire school year training and supporting a classroom of children. If you've done a good job...and taught the routines and expectations carefully...then a class should be pretty close to running itself. This particular group I have this year is soooooo good at this. I often joke that I could go for coffee and the class wouldn't even know I was gone! It is that same goal for the Phillipians...to be doing what they have been taught whether Paul is there or not.
There are so many reminders and challenges in the Philippians passage..... We are to be joyful, to remember each other in our prayers, be thankful, trust God to work in our hearts, be fearless with preaching the gospel, be pure, blameless, righteous - and on and on it goes!
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