Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. But the man who loves God is known by God. 1 Corinthians 8:1-3.

As I was reading our chapter, 2 Chronicles 12, this note at the bottom of the page: (When we leave God out of our lives, we lose more spiritually than we ever gain financially.) Rehoboam as king of Judah was not faithful to God and as a result the king of Egypt came and captured the fortified cities of Judah, v. 1-4. Again in the notes below: (A record of this invasion has been found on an Egyptian stone that says Shishak’s army penetrated as far north as the Sea of Galilee in the northern kingdom.)

When the king and elders of Judah were confronted with the truth of their abandoning God and what the result would be, they humbled themselves and said, The Lord is just. v. 6. All of the treasuries of the temple and palace were taken away to Egypt. When the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, this word of the Lord came to Shemaiah: “Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them but will soon give them deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak. They will, however, become subject to him, so that they may learn the difference between serving me and serving the kings of other lands.” v. 7-8.

The Lord is just. Can we add wise, patient…forbearing…loving? God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood – to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished – he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Romans 3:25-26.

What does that mean? God reminded me this morning that He is the One walking beside me to enlighten my eyes and steady me on the path so unfamiliar and yet known. Unfamiliar because He is helping me experience a deeper walk with Him; known because I have known His love since childhood when knowing His love was freeing and beautiful.

I am trying to understand more fully the Cross of Christ and what means for all of us. I’m beginning to grasp that the Cross is the stopping point of all our imaginations about God that are untrue of His love and mercy. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:9-12 (Psalm 34:12-16).

The Cross represents the very worst mankind can do; mankind killed God. The Cross represents the best of God who forgives us that horrible sin that we did in our ignorance.

The difference? Everything! God is Love. Full stop. When you ask Him to help you, you will gain spiritually the companionship of our Holy, Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit – who loves you so much He endured the worst we could do with Love and Grace and Forgiveness. You can walk with Him through the worst and best this life can throw at you and know His Love and Peace guiding your heart. He’s here. He has never left us and never will. Thank You, Lord, for so great a Love.