Thoughts on Today's Verse...
We often look at the swift and dramatic discipline and punishment God used with his people in the Old Testament and are struck by its severity. The Holy Spirit reminds us that while this was true, to spurn grace and ridicule the sacrificial death of Jesus are actions all the more worthy of God's punishment. Grace is incredible. It is marvelous. But to reject Jesus and all he did to bring us God's love and salvation is to court disaster and reject any source of grace. Rejecting Jesus has harsh consequences, so please, dear friend, don't! Please don't reject God's offer of love, mercy, grace, hope, and salvation in Jesus. As the apostle Peter said while inspired by the Holy Spirit:
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
My Prayer...
Holy and righteous Father, thank you for your painful and costly gift of grace. Please empower me to be a transmitter and sharer of that grace to others. Please bless me with the ability to share the message of Jesus in all its loveliness so others can know your salvation and not have to face your justice after having spurned your gracious gift to them in Jesus, in whose name I pray and plead. Amen.
