Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 15, 2023: SOAP #5034: Ezekiel 38-39; Psalm 145; Revelation 20

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 145:13b The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving towards all he has made…
17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving towards all he has made.

OBSERVATION:  Psalm 145 is a great study on the character of God expressed in His actions. In the two verses above God’s faithfulness and righteousness are coupled with His love. Faithfulness and righteousness are both expressions of God’s holiness.

God’s character is based on holiness and love.  In Him they perfectly exist.  God never stops being holy to be loving.  God never lays aside his love to be holy.

In perfect wisdom, God used the cross to weave together His love and His holiness without slighting either!  Without the cross, a Holy God could not allow a sinful man to approach Him; so His love would be slighted.  Without the cross, if a Loving God would allow a sinful man to approach Him and His holiness would be slighted.  On the cross, God made a way for a sinful man to be made just as if he had never sinned!  The penalty of all sins was paid by the shedding of sinless blood!  Truly, God’s wisdom is demonstrated to all creation as God deals with sinful man in the cross!  Now a loving and holy God can live in the heart of a forgiven and re-born man!

APPLICATION:  As the Holy Spirit applies the Word in my life, God is developing both His holiness and love in me. He is developing it on the inside so that it might be seen outwardly in my words and deeds.

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, in your wisdom, you are working out your love and holiness in me. I want you to be pleased with what you see. Make me like Jesus! Amen

Pastor Leon
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