Yesterday, Today, and Forever

Yesterday, Today, and Forever

God, your Word says that you are the same "yesterday, today, and forever."  It describes you many times as "unchanging."  I believe that the Bible is trustworthy, but sometimes I have a hard time reconciling the loving Father, the faithful Friend, the tender Lover, the gentle Jesus, with the God who destroyed cities full of people and sent the Israelites to commit genocide against the Canaanites. 

Are you still that God?  Are you still the God who would command his people to slaughter innocent animals in sacrifice?  Are you still the God who wiped Sodom off of the map?  Are you still the God who sent poisonous snakes to punish your people when they sinned?  Are you still the God who got so disgusted with humanity that he flooded the earth to kill most of them and start over with just a handful?  

Are you still that God?

The God that we preach today is a God of love, mercy, and grace. This God doesn't want to hurt anyone. He loves everyone. He sent his son to pay for everyone's sins and clear the debt. He loves the world. He even loves sinners. His love is unconditional. He doesn't walk around with a big stick, ready to clobber anyone who sins. He doesn't send armies to commit genocide. He sends missionaries and Compassion International workers to serve people living in countries that are unchurched. He sends people to minister to the homeless, the sick, and those in prison. 

Are you that God?

Are you both?

Can you be the God who orders genocide and the God who weeps over genocide?  Can you be the God who demands animal sacrifice and the God who watches over the sparrow?  Can you be the God who destroyed a world full of sinners and the God who sent his son to save a world full of sinners?  Those seem like such contradictions. 

It seems like you are learning, growing, and adjusting your tactics as you go along. Yet how can that be true if you know all things already?  It seems like you have changed from the God you were in the Old Testament, yet your Word says that you never change. 

It may seem foolish to believe in a God and a Bible that present so many contradictions.  There are so many things that I don't understand, and a lot of the things I do understand don't make much sense.  Still I trust in you. I trust that you will reveal the truth and bring wisdom. I hope in you. I seek you. I want to know you.

Show me the way, Lord.  Help me to know you more.