overwhelmed

Growing up I had little use for the Old Testament.  To me they were stories of men from long ago who lived under a God that I couldn’t reconcile to my God of the New Testament.  Theirs was an angry God, a God who punished and killed those who stood against Him.  That didn’t match my Jesus who loved without limit.

Lately, though, I am in love with the Old Testament.  Reading the stories of men–fallible, sinful, hopeful men who loved God and lived for Him–gives me strength as I face this life.  Joseph who forgave his brothers after they threw him in a well; Moses who didn’t perform in God’s service until he was nearly 80; Gideon who balked when God first called him and then conquered a mighty army following His commands; Samson who lived an exciting life under God’s protection but then let down his guard, sinned, was punished by God, but then decided to go out for Him in one final hoorah; Daniel who lived among casual sin and hedonism and stayed true to his God until the end of his life.

These stories show me how to live.  They are not mere instructions, you know?, but examples of how we all egregiously sin but can still be used for Him and by Him.  It is beautiful. 

And while I still don’t understand all the punishments of the great and unchangable I AM, I am that much more humbled by the love He gives us.  Love from a God who expects nothing of us, love from a God who has no standards and therefore no consequences, means little.  Love from a God who is not only capable of doling out strong discipline but who has done so and yet chooses to love with a never-ceasing passion that I cannot understand, chooses to pour out blessing and forgiveness day after day and minute after minute to those who seek His face, humbles me, overwhelms me, gives me hope for my day and for the rest of my days.

I am overwhelmed by Him.