The Sheer Sweetness of Scorched Children: Why I Marvel at God's Chosen Judgment
Okay, friends, let’s talk about something that’s been weighing on my heart lately, but in a good way, you know? It’s about how sometimes, God’s ways are just… whoa. Like, really intense. And that intensity, that fire, it’s something I’ve been learning to see as beautiful, even when it’s hard to understand.
I was reading in Numbers the other day, and it got me thinking about God's judgment. Specifically, I was reading about the plagues, and the way God dealt with those who turned away from Him. Now, I know, some of those stories are heavy, really heavy. Like, the whole bit with Korah and his rebellion (Numbers 16), and how the earth opened up and swallowed them whole – along with their families. But, you know, when I really let it soak in, I don't see just destruction; I see God's unwavering commitment to righteousness. It makes me think about the ways God refines us. It's like, sometimes it feels like fire, right?
I’ve always struggled with feeling like I’m “enough.” Like I’m constantly trying to do better, be better, and sometimes I fall short. A lot. There have been times when my faith felt shaky. I remember this one specific time when I was in college, I’d really messed up on a paper. Like, really messed up. I had stayed out too late, neglected my work, and completely bombed the assignment. My professor was not impressed. In the moment, it felt like a tidal wave of failure washing over me. I felt this deep disappointment, not just in my grade, but in myself. I was so angry with myself for letting laziness win. But then, I remembered the stories of God's judgment, and I realized that sometimes, that feeling of consequence is really just God nudging me back onto the right path. It's like when we make poor choices, we might face hardships, but they are ultimately meant to lead us back to Him, if we’re willing to turn. Just like the Israelites, we need to stay on the right path, and not wander off into laziness, sin, or stray thoughts that lead us away.
And that's what brings me back to the "scorched children" – a phrase that might sound jarring at first. But, what if, it’s not just about the literal act, but about the immense gravity of God's justice? In the Old Testament, we see these moments, these consequences, and it’s not because God is capricious; it’s because He is holy. It’s about the weight of sin, and how it separates us from Him. Remember when the sons of Aaron offered strange fire and were consumed (Leviticus 10:1-3)? That's a sobering reminder of how seriously God takes obedience and holiness. It's not just a story; it’s a lesson about how we should approach our relationship with God – with reverence and awe.
See, I’ve always felt this pull towards wanting to do right by God. But, it's hard! And honestly, I get it when the Israelites struggled too. They were human, just like us, with their own weaknesses. But, what I’ve learned is that it's through those moments of feeling "scorched" – those moments where we feel the heat of our own mistakes – that we can truly understand God's grace and mercy. He doesn’t leave us in the ashes; He uses them to refine us, to make us stronger, and more aligned with His will.
This isn't to say we should seek out hardship, absolutely not. I think it’s about being open to what God wants to teach us, even when that lesson feels a little harsh. It's about seeing the "sweetness" in God's judgment, not as cruelty, but as a powerful force meant to ultimately lead us to Him. I try to carry this into my everyday life. When things don't go my way, when I face difficulties or even consequences of my actions, I try to remember that it's all part of a bigger plan. It's a reminder to be better, to seek Him, to listen.
I know this might be a difficult thing for some to accept, but I encourage you to really dig into those uncomfortable parts of the Bible. Don’t just gloss over them. Ask God to reveal their meaning and importance. Don’t just accept what you’ve always been told, really study and pray over it. And that's the beauty of faith, right? It's a journey of constant learning, growing, and drawing closer to God.
So, my question for you today is this: what "scorching" experience has ultimately led you to a deeper understanding of God's grace? Let’s talk about it!