Owen: God's unchanging kindness

Saturday, May 13, 2023
Meditation:
“I was enraged by his sinful greed;
    I punished him, and hid my face in anger,
    yet he kept on in his willful ways.
I have seen his ways, but I will heal him;
    I will guide him and restore comfort to him,
    creating praise on the lips of the mourners in Israel.
Peace, peace, to those far and near,”
    says the LORD. “And I will heal them.”
    —Isaiah 57:17-19 (NIV)
Quotation:
    What then? loves he his people in their sinning? Yes; his people,—not their sinning. Alters he not his love towards them? Not the purpose of his will, but the dispensations of his grace. He rebukes them, he chastens them, he hides his face from them, he smites them, he fills them with a sense of [his] indignation; but woe, woe would it be to us, should he change in his love, or take away his kindness from us!
    ... John Owen (1616-1683), Of Communion with God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost [1657], in Works of John Owen, v. II, London: Johnson & Hunter, 1851, p. 31 (see the book)
    See also Isa. 57:17-19; 1 Chr. 16:34; Job 6:4; Ps. 6:6; 38:1-5; 39:11; 100:5; 136; Isa. 8:17; Mal. 3:6; Rom. 5:5; Heb. 12:7-9; Rev. 3:19
Quiet time reflection:
    Lord, Your rebuke conveys Your love. CQOD    Blog    email    RSS
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