READING: Job 21-23, Psalm 101, Revelation 16
I learned the verse 1 John 4:8b—“God is love”—as a young teenager attending a Vacation Bible School class. I did not fully understand God’s love then (and still don’t), but I knew it was unique and special. Somehow, a God I could not see loved me, and I knew it. His love was real, powerful, and life-changing. As God grew me in my faith, He taught me how to lean on His love anytime I did not otherwise “feel” loved. As I described in yesterday’s devotion, I learned to appreciate gospel songs in general—but today I am thinking about songs of His love that echo in my head from years ago: songs like, “The Love of God,” “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling,” “Oh, How He Love You and Me,” and “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go.” I’ve not sung some of these songs in years, but still I remember them.
Today, though, I’m reminded that God who loves is also God who judges. Revelation 16 is almost painful to read as judgment falls, but the angel reminds us that God is always right: “You are just, the Holy One, who is and who was,because you have passed judgment on these things” (Rev 16:5). Even a voice from the altar speaks in agreement: “Yes, Lord God, the Almighty, true and just are your judgments” (Rev 16:7). God is never unjust, and He always has reason and purpose in His judgments. He is the holy One, the Creator who sets the standards, calls people to follow Him, and judges them when they choose otherwise—particularly in this chapter, those who murder His followers.
Yes, God is love . . . but He is also the judge.
PRAYER: “God, remind me that You are the holy judge today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Job 24-27, Revelation 17
