God Is Also Just

Please note: I will be out of my office until June 29th and will resume my Du-votionals at that time. # 43 – Today's Du-votional comes from 1Sa 2:31 'Behold, the days are coming that I will cut off your arm and the arm of your father's house, so that there will not be an old man in your house. 32 'And you will see an enemy in My dwelling place, despite all the good which God does for Israel. And there shall not be an old man in your house forever. 33 'But any of your men whom I do not cut off from My altar shall consume your eyes and grieve your heart. And all the descendants of your house shall die in the flower of their age. The prophet of God continues his prophecy concerning Eli and his posterity. His family had been given the office of the priesthood in Israel by birthright. (By grace) But because they had despised their office and God's grace, these calamities would come upon him and his family. Eli and his sons who once held positions of great power in God's kingdom would become powerless. Not only that, but none of his descendants would live to see old age, and Eli would live to see the horrific day in which the ark of God was captured by the Philistines. He would see the glory depart from Israel, and he would know that it was his refusal to discipline his sons, and his own compromises that allowed all of this to happen. Not exactly a great way to live out your days. This passage serves as a reminder that God is not just a God of “love” He is also a just God, and when you think about it clearly, you realize that a God of love MUST also be just. God is abundantly patient, but there comes a time when He will carry out His “justice.” Let this be a warning to all. God will serve His justice on any and all who trample upon His grace. We like Eli's sons were born into the priesthood of believers through God's grace. Salvation is a gift of God, but if we despise it, God will execute justice on us too. Those who trample on His grace and reject His gift of Jesus will never enter heaven, they will fall short and spend eternity, powerless, and tormented in hell.