Thus says the LORD, “As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one says, ‘Do not destroy it, for there is benefit in it,’ So I will act on behalf of My servants in order not to destroy all of them.” (Isaiah 65:8)
One of the benefits of studying the Old Testament, and in particular the prophets, is that a pattern begins to emerge in the character of God. The more nations, people, and generations we see Him interact with, the more clearly we see His consistency.
God disciplines people and He disciplines nations, but never more than what is necessary. He tears down so that He may build up. He cuts only so deep that He may remove the cancer and heal the wound.
God is not malicious in His judgment. He preserves as much as He can and harms as little as is required. He cannot be provoked to act recklessly. It is simply beyond His character to do so.
So, whatever loss we face and whatever pain we endure, in the providence of God we can understand it fits within a larger plan for healing and for good. The hand of God is precise in your life and His plans are for the good of His people.
Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites