He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished--
Thoughts for Today:In the news recently was the story of Jaycee Dugard, who as an eleven year old was abducted from a school bus stop, then held in captivity in the backyard of her abductor for the next eighteen years. It is a tragic story and one which I will not soon forget. Certainly these types of horrific crimes we hear of on the news or often times see in our own communities, can awaken our sense of outrage and demand for justice.
Think for a minute of how God must feel as He sees everything -- not just the stories that make the news -- but everything including the hidden sins and tragedies no one knows about. It is impossible for us to fully comprehend the amount of sin that God sees (and has seen) when multiplied by the millions upon billions of people throughout history.
What would you do if you were God? What if you saw what everyone was thinking and doing -- not just one heartbreaking story of child abduction, captivity and abuse reported in the news? Here's what God did: "He left the sins committed beforehand unpunished" then heaped all His anger upon His Son whose redemptive blood liberated us as hostages of sin -- He set us free!
Questions to Ponder:I am grateful I have not been given the punishment I deserve for my sin. What about you? What sins have you committed which warrant punishment? Have you been set free by the redeeming blood of our Savior?