July 20

Hosea 8-14
Over the years I have had a number of people question the wrath of God.  A very sweet lady who visited our church often once asked me if I really believed God would send anyone to a place as horrible as hell?  I simply told her that if the Bible says He will, then I believe He will.  Recently I had a dialogue with someone who mocked the severity of hell.  There are a number of passages that use the terminology: Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us!”  This particular quote is from today’s reading.  These kinds of phrases point to the terror of God’s wrath.  His punishment is so severe that those who are experiencing it would rather have the mountains and hills fall on them, covering them up with no escape.  I can’t imagine anything much worse than to be under a mountain or hill with no exit, left to die without air or any other of life’s necessities.  Yet, God’s punishment is much worse.  Rather than question or mock His wrath, it would be a far better thing to avoid His wrath.  He really isn’t wanting to display His anger.  God would that all would submit to Him in humble obedience, so as to receive His immeasurable blessings.  It isn’t difficult to receive His salvation, and this free gift is offered to all.  However, as gracious and merciful as He is, we deny His wrath at our own peril.