Psalm 9

Easter Sunday

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Good Friday

Galatians 3:6-14

The history of human existence is a longing for peace and a struggle for freedom. To think that we can attain peace and freedom apart from God by attaining self-autonomy will not produce the goal of peace or freedom. In ‘Cost of Discipleship,’ Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “The demand for absolute liberty brings men to the depths of slavery.” The cry and activity that demand absolute liberty don’t bring peace but conflict within the human heart and those around. God’s offer of a peace that passes human understanding brings freedom and peace within our hearts. However, when the offer is rejected, it leaves a person empty, confused, and angry and affects God. As we will discover, when peace is offered and rejected, it causes God to weep.

Ultimately, humanity’s angry rebellion moves God to act so that He allows the ultimate consequences of such folly. We see throughout history the story of human rebellion and the suppression of others. So, what is the answer to where human freedoms are being diminished? So, where is our only hope for true freedom? In discussing impending disaster, Jesus tells the disciples that when they see ‘people are in anguish, perplexity, terror, and apprehension, the believer's response should be different. Jesus, in talking about the ultimate consequences of human rebellion against God and the disasters it creates, should cause a pause in our hearts as believers. Jesus told his disciples that they needed to lift their heads because their redemption was drawing near (cf. Luke 21:28). We are living in a moment where we see much that could dismay our hearts, but as we embrace a divine perspective, may we respond with hope for the future and not despair. May we realize that what is happening to our world has not taken God unaware. Even when we feel powerless in our current situations, we may embrace the hope that God is working out his ultimate plan. What we think may not be what God intends. We often get the narrative wrong in our lives. In the moment, what we feel may only be fully understood in hindsight. Often, our disappointments that lead to disillusionment can occur because we have the wrong perspective and understanding of what God is doing in our lives at a precise moment.

Jeremiah 49

God is light, and we are called to walk in His light. But sin thrives in darkness, keeping us trapped. 1 John 1:5-10 reminds us that following Jesus isn’t just about knowing the truth—it’s about living it. If we claim to walk in the light but refuse to confront our sin, we deceive ourselves, burden our souls, and risk becoming hypocrites to the world.

The darkness within us does not come from God. It weighs us down, damages our relationships, and hinders our connection with Him. But when we confess and bring our sins and struggles into the open, the light of Christ transforms us. His truth sets us free, making us beacons of hope to a lost and broken world.

Confession isn’t about shame—it’s about freedom. True healing begins when we stop hiding and start surrendering—first to ourselves, then to God, and finally to one another. Psalm 51 lays out this journey: define our sin honestly, appeal to God for forgiveness and transformation, and rejoice in the freedom He gives. Don’t let hidden sin weigh you down—step into the light and experience the joy of true healing and restoration.

Jeremiah 48

One of the most difficult aspects for some people to accept within God’s character is that he will judge sin. Judgment is a part of justice, an expression of Divine love. Wait, are you saying that judgment is an expression of love? Absolutely; how can a loving God ultimately leave wickedness and injustice to continue without retribution or punishment? How can God allow people to continue to be exploited? For others, what amazes them is God’s patience and longsuffering in not quickly judging those who commit terrible atrocities. What we discover is that all of God’s characteristics are tied together. God is patient.

In writing about God’s character, Stephen Charnock states, " The reason God is patient is to show his power.” In what way? He is Lord over Himself and reveals his tremendous degree of self-restraint. It is through this amazing self-restraint that God reveals to us His goodness. Charnock continues: “He waits that he may be gracious. Goodness sets God upon the exercise of patience, and patience sets many a sinner on running into the arms of mercy. That mercy, which makes God ready to embrace returning sinners, makes him willing to bear with them in their sins and wait for their return. ...The object of patience is, primarily man...” “...for patience is properly a temporary sparing a person, with a waiting of his relenting, and a change of his injurious demeanor.” Charnock is saying that God doesn’t act rashly or harshly with us; he allows time for us to realize that we are wrong and need God’s forgiveness, mercy, and grace.

Having expressed this concept of God’s kindness to us, we also need to understand that God will “not acquit the wicked,” i.e. he will not acquit obstinate sinners. He has patience for the wicked and mercifully for the penitent. The wicked are the subjects of his long-suffering, but not of his acquitting grace; he does not presently punish their sins because he is slow to anger; but without their repentance, he will not blot out their sins because he is righteous in judgment: if God should acquit them without repentance for their crimes, he must himself repent of his own law and righteous sanction of it.”

Charnock is simply arguing that God, after showing great patience, will address all evil in a just manner because of his nature. In these final chapters of Jeremiah, we have the prophecies that God gave to the prophet regarding the nations affecting Israel and the outcomes of their lifestyles.