A Different Perspective

Reflection from Psalms 103,111, 114, Isaiah 30:18-21, Acts 2:26-41, 42-47, John 14:15-31

The Old Testament is full of passages describing the terrible God of vengeance--the Almighty God who sent plagues to Egypt, hated the Philistines, and punished his Chosen Ones when they did wrong.  

However, there were authors who had a different perspective of God.

David described God as the Good Shepherd in Psalm 23. He also wrote how God’s love sweeps over the world and offers us mercy:  

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
                                             (Psalm 103:11-12).

Isaiah says God longs to be gracious to us and show us mercy (30:18).

It was hard for people to see the loving God.

Its still hard for us to see the loving God.

But this is the God that Jesus wanted us to know: the Redeemer who understands and forgives us, the Champion who rescues us, the Physician who heals us, the Advocate who defends us, and the Abba Father who embraces us.