“But I will not destroy them all,”
says the Lord.
“For just as good grapes are found among a cluster of bad ones
(and someone will say, ‘Don’t throw them all away—
some of those grapes are good!’),
so I will not destroy all Israel.
For I still have true servants there.
JOHN 3:17 (MSG)
God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.
SUMMARY SENTENCE
DAILY FODDER
If we understand that God's fundamental interest is in saving rather than destroying, how does that change the way we relate to him and his agenda?
PRAYER
Christ, each morning you recharge the world with enough goodness to get it through the day. Day in and day out you're reaching out to us with your saving grasp -- even though day in and day out we mostly ignore you and continue on trying to build our own little kingdoms. Deepen our understanding of your motivation so that we can more fully participate in your mission of mercy. I really want your mercy to define the core of who I am and what I do. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.