July 28
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GOD’S KINDNESS AND SEVERITY
A poem by ILMA
Notice how God is both kind and severe; he is severe to the lawless
He is kind all those who continue to trust and rely on his kindness
But if you stop trusting the Lord, you also will be cut off
And if the people turn from their unbelief, they will be joined in again.
God has the power to graft all the rebels back into the tree
You, by nature, were a branch cut from a wild olive tree
If God was willing to do something contrary to nature
He is able to graft the branches back into the tree where they belong.
Scriptures says “The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem
He will turn Israel away from ungodliness and lawlessness
And this is my covenant with them; that I will take away their sins.”
Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News.
God’s gifts and his call and promises can never be withdrawn
Once, you Gentiles were lawless and disobedient to God
When the people of Israel rebelled and turn against him
God was merciful to you instead and you’re given chance to be saved
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MEMORY VERSE
Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off. – Romans 11:22
Read: Romans 11:16-36
This chapter reminds us of how God’s kindness and severity were evident towards the Israelites and the Gentiles. It just shows how God hates lawlessness and sin. He gives us a way out of the harshness if we turn to him again and trust him.
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REFLECTION
• Why is trust and faith an expectation of God from his own people?
• How can one avoid the severity of God?