Corona Devo 3086
I like words. I just do. And some words are just…fun, like the word “paradox”.
It is fun to pronounce, and it is even more fun to try and define.
par·a·dox (noun): a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true (Oxford Languages Dictionary)
We know a paradox when we hear it or see it, don't we?
For instance, can we love someone so deeply that we would want to punish them?
Sounds cruel.
Or does it?
Perhaps it's a paradox, because it seems contradictory, doesn't it? ...Loving so much that we would punish?
But then I picture a small child about to touch a hot stove. Grabbing them out of harm's way would be the first order of business, but teaching and disciplining ("punishing") in order to correct and instruct them not to go near a hot stove in the future would be love on the deepest level. ...We would love them enough to punish them.
But is that kind of love really love? Isn't true love ever-affirming? All-accepting? All-permitting and all-allowing? The world and culture want us to think so.
But can any love allow all things and still survive?
Without boundaries and guidelines, there is no structure or substance to love. The upbringing of a child is the perfect example to us: from their complete dependence during infancy to the teaching of right and wrong...we can (and should) love so deeply that (at times) we want to punish if it fosters the best/most- positive outcome for the one that we love.
Punishing those we love?
It sounds like a paradox. However, as Oxford Languages Dictionary said: when investigated or explained, it may prove to be well founded or true .
Someone else believes that the truest form of love can require discipline...the Lord.
God loves us so deeply. We are His children. He deeply wants what is best for us.
But what about when we thwart that? When we seek our will and desires instead of His will and desires? Then we are sabotaging God's good stuff for our...stuff.
(I'm afraid to ask.)
Listen to this message that the Lord has spoken against you, O people of Israel—against the entire family I rescued from Egypt: (2) “From among all the families on the earth, I have been intimate with you alone. That is why I must punish you for all your sins.” ~Amos 3:1-2
In Chapters 1 and 2 of the Book of Amos in the Bible, the Lord lists a number of people-groups that had sinned against God:
This is what the Lord says: “The people of Damascus have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished! ~Amos 1:3
This is what the Lord says: “The people of Gaza have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished! ~Amos 1:6
This is what the Lord says: “The people of Tyre have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished! ~Amos 1:9
And in addition to the people of the cities above, Amos speaks God's truth, love, and punishment into more cities: The people of Edom, Ammon, Moab, Judah and Israel (Amos Chapters 1 & 2). The Lord says the same (disciplining-them-because-He-loves-them) thing to all of these people...and to all people.
And (eventually), God speaks words of punishing love (because He loves) to His own land of Judah and Israel. He points out sin, but this is in an effort to get the people to recognize and admit their sin.
Is God trying to get us to recognize and admit some sin in our life?
(Listen for the paradoxes! And listen also for God's love and His heart to train His children (us!) up in His ways. Our Heavenly Father loves us so deeply that he (will) punish us to purify us. Here goes:
(3) Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?
(4) Does a lion ever roar in a thicket without first finding a victim?
Does a young lion growl in its den without first catching its prey?
(5) Does a bird ever get caught in a trap that has no bait?
Does a trap spring shut when there’s nothing to catch?
(6) When the ram’s horn blows a warning, shouldn’t the people be alarmed?
Does disaster come to a city unless the Lord has planned it?
(7) Indeed, the Sovereign Lord never does anything until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets. (8) The lion has roared—so who isn’t frightened?
The Sovereign Lord has spoken—so who can refuse to proclaim his message?
(9) Announce this to the leaders of Philistia and to the great ones of Egypt: “Take your seats now on the hills around Samaria, and witness the chaos and oppression in Israel.”
(10) “My people have forgotten how to do right,” says the Lord. ~Amos 3:3-10
Paradoxes?
Don't some of these seem absurd or self-contradictory...and yet--when investigated or explained, their correlations between us and our holy Father will prove to be well founded or true.
There is sin in our lives and in our world, and (simply put), God cannot have it. And He loves us too deeply not to discipline us about it. (Hence--today's Scriptures.)
Well, I am sure that you know, because I certainly do.
“My people have forgotten how to do right,” says the Lord. ~Amos 3:10
Even if we have forgotten how to do right....we can remember today.
- Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ~James 4:8
- Therefore say to them, Thus declares the Lord of hosts: Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. ~Zechariah 1:3
Blessings,
sarah
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