The Judgment of God: The Greatest Gift to His People
“. . . when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains of Jerusalem from its midst by a spirit of judgment and by a spirit of burning” Isaiah 4: 4.
God’s people, ancient Israel refused to listen to Him. The prophet Isaiah is here alluding to the judgment God would bring upon them. To read the passage for context, click here.
And this idea can apply to all God’s children, Jew or Gentile, down through the ages. If we have sin in our lives we’re not dealing with, the greatest gift God can give us is judgment. This is because the pain of judgment is meant to bring about cleansing and renewal.
It’s No Favor to be Allowed to Go Our Own Way
And once we are cleansed and renewed, we can begin to experience that abundant, blessed life God wants to give us. It’s no favor to be allowed to continue in our sin without correction.
Unless and until we are cleansed and holy we will never be blessed. And it’s often the case, especially if we are stubborn, that unless we are judged we will not overcome our weaknesses.
The greatest gift God can give a wayward child is this: Do whatever it takes, however painful and unpleasant to get him back on the straight and narrow (Mathew 7: 13, 14). Because this is the only path to life and blessing and abundance.
The Judgment of God: When Love Looks Like Hate
Interestingly though, the greatest expressions of God’s love often look and feel like quite the opposite. When we’re being judged, we’re tempted to think God hates us. Or at least doesn’t care.
But here’s the truth: “whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him” Proverbs 13: 24.
You may be interested in another post related to The Judgment of God: The Greatest Gift to His People. If so, see The Lord Will Fight Your Battles, but Will You Let Him?