Forgiveness and Trust
Love and faithfulness meet together; Righteousness and peace kiss each other. Psalm 85 v10 Though not stated, this psalm appears to refer to the exiles from Babylon and the conditions in which they find themselves. They had been exiled for turning their back on God and for over 50 years were forced to live in a country that was alien to them in every way. Yet on account of his faithfulness (not their righteousness), God brought them back to their homeland. What God didn't do was fix the mess they'd left behind. It was one thing to look back at the glory they had squandered; it was another to honour God's grace and repay him for giving them a second chance. "You expected much but it turned out to be little" , says Haggai the Prophet. Why? "Because of my house, which remains a ruin" . How often have we heard, "I will do anything you want if you will do this for me", only for that person to renege on their pledge once they have what they want. Tru...