"Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!" Matthew 18:7 (NIV)
What an interesting word: Woe. We rarely use it today. It's roots can be traced back before the 12th century. It is used to express grief, regret, or distress. Woe is used in context in the Bible over 95 times, usually referring to nations, cities, or people who have turned from God or caused others to turn from God. The reward for causing woe was often destruction, dismay, or spiritual blindness. Oh Lord, please do not cause woe to come unto me! Jesus said in Luke that it would be "better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin." (17:2) The Bible is filled with "woes" for the nation of Israel because they so many times turned from Him, yet it always follows the woe with grace for discontinuing the act of straying. "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14) Our world continues to wallow in woe even today, though most do not understand why. If we would humble ourselves and seek the Lord's face, He would be gracious to us. Yet we turn from Him and cause others to turn away or to never know His power, grace, and glory. "For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23) God longs to be merciful to us, just as He has since the beginning of time itself. Why are we so blind that we cannot see that our hardship can be the beginning of a great blessing from Him or it can be the beginning of eternal destruction? I choose the blessing. The Lord has shown Himself to be great and merciful to me in all my times of doubt and self-destruction. I cling to the promise that "the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion." (Isaiah 30:18) May we pray continually that we are spared the Biblical "woe" and prostrate ourselves before our God and receive His grace and mercy.
The idea of "woe" makes me quake. But I know that, as you said, God is full of compassion and mercy. Thank the Lord that he surrounds us with his forgiveness when we humble ourselves, fall on our faces, and seek him. You would think that the world would see all the warning signs of God's judgement. But their eyes are blinded and ears dull. They do not see. They do not hear. Their only desire is to fulfill carnal needs and serve their high places. I so appreciate your wise words and Christian friendship. God bless you and keep you.
ReplyDeleteAndrea