God loves each of us and that is the reason for our being punished for our transgressions.
“2The Lord has an indictment against Judah and will punish Jacob according to his ways; he will repay him according to his deeds…14Ephraim has given bitter provocation; so his lord will leave his bloodguilt on him and will repay him for his disgraceful deeds.” – Hosea 12:2 &14 (ESV)
When I read these verses on their own without context or study, I see words that say, “Well, you got yourself into this and therefore you are responsible to get yourself out.” God allowing us to suffer with what we brought upon ourselves.
Shouldn’t we be bitter at our God for his just letting us suffer? How can God allow his children to deal with the difficulty of overcoming such things? What kind Heavenly Father is He to not help us get out of it?
Our Heavenly Father, filled with love that we have difficulty understanding. We got ourselves into these things and God, in His love, allows us to get out of it.
Allows is the key I see here. God won’t bail us out of everything that we get ourselves into. He gives us the freedom to get into the situations and then provides us the love to get out of it.
“6So you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.” – Hosea 12:6 (ESV)
“Love and justice”, see how they go together. God loves us more than we know and he allows us to get out of situations because he loves us and it is part of the justice we deserve. God wiped away the sins of our past when we accepted Him as our Lord and Savior (although we are still responsible for the consequences of our actions). And, he has wiped away the sins we will commit. But, just like being responsible for the consequences of our past actions, we are also responsible for our future actions as well.
We will receive our rewards and reprieve when we arrive in heaven, until then we are responsible to take care of business here on earth.
Will you accept the “justice” you deserve for your actions, knowing that God’s love is the fully involved in that justice? What consequences have you tried to offload on God? Has He placed them firmly back in your lap? Are you able to see the love in the justice God uses with you?
Trevor's Thoughts 