Saturday, April 23, 2011

Deuteronomy 10:17-21 NASB

"For the LORD your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality, nor take a bribe.  He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love to the alien by giving him food and clothing.  So show your love for the alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.  You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name.   He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen."


The wonderful truth of it all is that we know the same God that the children of Israel knew.  The playing field may be quite different, but not the One who orchestrates the plays.  He is still the God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God.  He has never been blinded by personalities.  Nor is this a God who can He be bribed through some maneuvering on our part.  He moves in a completely different sphere of what is important to the world, but He is very much in our world as One who is totally aware and involved in the affairs of man.  His heart is affected by what He sees and especially touched by human need.  If I could get across one point, it would be this:  that what touched God's heart then, touches God's heart now.  He cares about those who are often overlooked, identified here as orphans, widows and aliens, and He tells us to do the same, executing justice and showing love.  I think He meant it!  Both of these acts, justice and love, are acts of the heart, as beating with the very heart of God.  This is a disposition far deeper than mere humanitarian concern or human help.  Far different than the world, this gets to real issues, root causes and redeeming cures.This isn't something one can put on.  At least not for very long.  The idea of short term mission involvement didn't originate with God.  Missions is a lifetime cause, whether in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, or the ends of the earth, but the only way that can happen is if our hearts have been transformed by the heart of God, so that we truly love as God loves.  So how's your heart?  Any orphans, widows and aliens in view?  If you really care but don't know where to connect, there are Christian organizations who are reaching out to those in need.  Connect with them.  Certainly, an organization like World Gospel Mission can be of help.  I like to think of ourselves, not "like a bridge over troubled waters", but as "a bridge to troubled waters.  Let us take your hand, and let God take you where few dare to go.  This is where the adventure of the Christian life gets real interesting because here the God who does great and awesome things, does great and awesome things!

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