God is Just and Faithful
Nehemiah gives a great overview of the history of Israel in the ninth chapter. As he goes through the main points, He gives insights into God's character and why He had to punish His people. (Nehemiah 9:33,35) He realized some things that cause many people to struggle. God is just in all He does, and He always deals faithfully with us. The problem is that we have sinned, and many people do it so consistently, even though He has blessed them in abundant ways. Think about these things.
God's punishment seems to be very harsh sometimes. It is difficult for us to understand. Nehemiah had come to grasp that God is always just or righteous in what He does, because He has done everything for us to show us what is right and wrong. Also, He is always faithful. He always does the correct thing at the right time, according to what He has revealed to us. He is never inconsistent, and He never compromises the truth, even when He is merciful.
The problem that causes His intense punishment is our sin. We do wickedly, after He has made it plain to us, just like Adam and Eve did in the garden. On top of that, He blesses us by giving us many good things, a place to live, and a good land. Still, we do not serve Him as we should and as He deserves to be served. We do not turn from our wicked works when He convicts us, so finally He has to punish us, sometimes severely.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Nehemiah 10-12.
God's punishment seems to be very harsh sometimes. It is difficult for us to understand. Nehemiah had come to grasp that God is always just or righteous in what He does, because He has done everything for us to show us what is right and wrong. Also, He is always faithful. He always does the correct thing at the right time, according to what He has revealed to us. He is never inconsistent, and He never compromises the truth, even when He is merciful.
The problem that causes His intense punishment is our sin. We do wickedly, after He has made it plain to us, just like Adam and Eve did in the garden. On top of that, He blesses us by giving us many good things, a place to live, and a good land. Still, we do not serve Him as we should and as He deserves to be served. We do not turn from our wicked works when He convicts us, so finally He has to punish us, sometimes severely.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Nehemiah 10-12.