" The Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord; and the Lord strengthened King Eglon of Moab against Israel, because they had done what was evil in the sight of the Lord." – Judges 3:12
It is easy to point the finger at these ancient tribes and say, "Look how evil they were."
Don't single out the Israelite family based on this scripture and history. It is our story too.
They are simply a prototype of all of us.
Is there hope for an America that seems to have lost it's heart of compassion and instinct for justice and has done so periodically through its history?
Is there hope for those of us who trade moments of security and prosperity for a lifetime of truth and love?
Is there hope for us when we raise and salute the banner of commercialism and greed, erect idols of self-satisfaction, and irreverently turn our backs on the simple way of Jesus?
And then, we dishonor the One who is One and calls us to ultimate loyalty and worship.
There is hope.
We are given this record so that we can relate and so that we can track the mercy of God to take a people of purpose and keep forgiving. restoring, and recommissioning consistently, persistently, and repeatedly through time.
This is the story of the relentless love of God. We know this because it was one of many such times and through the centuries, God never rejected the people.
Judgment is not the flip side of this. It is included in it – not as a paradox, but as an exclamation mark because, throughout the Hebrew scriptures, God's judgment of His people was designed to lead to repentance and renewal of the covenant.
Sometimes the path to redemption is rocky and hard.
Sometimes, it involves retracing the steps of our rebellion and heartless oppression of others.
But it is never a trek that we make alone, even when it seems so.
And it is never about erasing or eradicating our own guilt or redeeming ourselves.
It is a journey of grace and reconciling love.
What is evil in God's sight is what draws us away from God and God's love for us.
Sometimes, God will strengthen the hands of our enemies to draw us back into that relationship for it is only in the relationship that we can thrive.
For that reason, we ought to shun sin and embrace the discipline of a God who passionately and sacrificially draws us into a relationship that is on His terms, knowing that His terms ooze with love, grace, and mercy … even when it hurts.
From The Mission, a story of redemption and forgiveness."Jesuit priest Father Gabriel (Jeremy Irons) enters the Guarani lands in South America with the purpose of converting the natives to Christianity. He soon builds a mission, where he is joined by Rodrigo Mendoza (Robert De Niro), a reformed slave trader seeking redemption."
Pastor Tom's Community 
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