The Love of God

August 11, 2024 Background Scripture: Lamentations 3:16 - 24; Psalm 30; Jeremiah 52:1 - 30 Lesson Passage: Lamentations 3:16 - 24 When one considers the Background Scripture for today's lesson, the use of the word "love" in the title can seem farfetched. But the more we look at these passages of scripture, the more we see the overwhelming love of God bringing deliverance. The passage from Jeremiah gives the account of the final days of Babylon's ultimate destruction of Judah's capitol city of Jerusalem. Jeremiah wrote an eyewitness account of the devastation and destruction and the tyranny that preceded it. It is a very depressing account of the siege that left the inhabitants of the city starving until the king and the remnant of his military attempted to escape one night. They were chased down and captured. They were taken to Babylon where some were tortured and maimed and others were put to death. The king watched as his sons were executed in his presence. Then his eyes were put out and he was placed in bonds and taken to prison until the day of his death. Some of the other inhabitants of the city were taken to Babylon and some were put to death. A few poor people were left to maintain things. The magnificent temple of King Solomon was destroyed and the gold, silver, and brass furnishings, tools, and utensils were plundered and taken back to Babylon. Both Psalm 30 and the passage from Lamentations are reminders that children of God can find hope during seasons of despair. In Psalm 30, David wrote about being delivered by God from a sure death. David called upon the saints of God to sing praises to Him for His favor (grace). We may cry at night, but God's favor assures us that joy will return. We are reminded that God's anger is temporary, but His favor is eternal. The Lord disciplines those He loves. Disobedience to God can lead us to a place of despair as we are punished. It is because of His great love for us that God does not allow us to live under a cloud of condemnation forever. God punishes us because of our disobedience so that we will not be condemned with the world. No one wants to be punished—even when it is deserved! Yet, it is during punishment that we are reminded that we belong to God. While enduring punishment, we take note that we are not destroyed because of God's mercy towards us. Punishment prevents us from continuing down the road to damnation. It is during times of punishment that hope arises in us. So, where does the word "love" fit into this discussion? God's love is the source of our hope. God's love is benevolent. God is motivated to act on our behalf based on our need. Even when receiving punishment that is deserved, we need the mercy of God to limit such punishment, Sin renders us worthy of death, i.e., separated from God eternally. There is no way we can undo sin. God's word declares that the soul that sins shall die. It is because of God's mercy that we are not consumed. God's grace, unmerited love and favor, sustains us so that we do not perish. After we are delivered from our troubles, praise freely flows from our hearts to God; we know our deliverance was undeserved. Sin condemns us, but God allows us to live by separating sin from us rather than allow sin to separate us from Him. Although marred by sin, we still have within us the image and likeness of God. God desires to forgive all that call upon Him for salvation and deliverance. It is because of God's great love for us that sin is not allowed to consume us. During Judah's destruction, we can see evidence of the love of God by His favor towards His people. Robert C. Hudson August 5, 2024