In the past He permitted all peoples to go their own ways. And yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good works. He gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your heart with food and gladness. Acts 14:16-17.
God is no tyrant. He allows nations, and individuals, to go their own way, even if the way is contrary to God and all that is good, holy and decent.
And yet.
God is also not absent or indifferent. He is not cold or withdrawn.
The absence of love is not hate, it is indifference. God is neither.
Without being controlling or interfering, and allowing the nations to go their own way, God still moves, speaks and gives. He has not left himself without a “witness” (lit. martyr) to give testimony to His love and grace. He is His own witness, through the work of His hands, giving rain and food even to those who may not immediately recognize that He is the source.
And yet.
He intervenes lovingly, gently, clearly, invitingly. To woo, not to coerce. He keeps a witness. His witness is to His love, and to Himself, that all may see and hear, and respond to His love.
He gives rain, from heaven, something even in this 21st century internet age we still cannot give ourselves.
He gives. No conditions. No requirements. Giving for the sole purpose of expressing His love.
He gives fruitful seasons.
He satisfies my heart with food.
He satisfies my heart with gladness.
All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned, every one, to his or her own way.
And yet. He gives. The LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
God’s love is intentional. And His intentions are loving.
God is gentle. Purposeful. Strong. Deliberate. Kind. Winsome.
His purpose is to draw every person, every nation, to Himself.
Not to control. But to love. To be in rich, intimate fellowship and relationship. To heal, save and deliver.
God pursued Jonah, running the opposite direction from God’s call and will. God seeks the one out of the 99, the lost coin, the lost son. How rich, how kind, how wise is God’s love, and all His actions.
My heart may be cold, even rebellious. And yet. God loved me first. While I was still unlovely.
I may run. And yet. God loves. May I run back to Him, into His arms.
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