GOD ALWAYS ACTS FROM SINCERITY

“God is so sincere that He gives His own glory as hostage for His children's security.

Love is the principle of God's actions and the good of His people is His goal. He never swerves from these. The fire of love never goes out of His heart, nor their good out of His eye. Every time He frowns with His brow, chides with His lips, or strikes with His hand, even then His heart burns with love and His thoughts meditate peace to His children. "So will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good. For I will set mine eyes upon them for good", Jeremiah 24:5-6. This was one of the sharpest judgments God ever brought on His people, yet He designed mercy and projected good into the severest hours of it. When the Israelites cried out that Moses had brought them into the wilderness to kill them, they were more afraid than hurt. God had plans for their good, which they could not even imagine; He purposed to humble them so they could at last receive His goodness.

God is so sincere that He gives His own glory as hostage for His children's security. His robes of righteousness are locked up in their salvation and prosperity. He will not, indeed cannot, present Himself in all His magnificence and royalty until His intended thoughts of mercy become realities in the lives of His people. He is pleased to postpone the time of His appearing in all His glory to the world until He has fully accomplished their deliverance so both He and His people may come forth together in their glory on the same day: "When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory" Psalm 102:16.

The sun is always glorious, even on the most cloudy day, but this glory is not apparent until it has scattered the clouds which hide its light from the earth. God is glorious even when the world cannot see Him, but the demonstration of His glory appears when the glories of His mercy, truth, and faithfulness break forth in His people's salvation. 



Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell. http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617