The Ox and Donkey Know
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The Ox and Donkey Know
God Almighty has a great sadness. His sadness is so deep there really aren’t any human words to describe it. Why should our LORD be so sad?
God created us. He created us to be near Him and live in fellowship with Him. That is why He wants us to address Him as our heavenly Father. But, He will not force Himself upon us. His love is too great for that. Our Lord just wants us to see His love for us, and based on that evidence, He wants us to joyfully turn to Him in love.
But, most people don’t. Hence, God’s sadness, because He continues to love, but His own children do not rightly love Him in return. His own children refuse to accept His free gift of salvation in Jesus Christ.
They just proudly want to do things their way and show God that they have the power to earn the right to enter heaven all by themselves. They dismiss their sins of hatefulness, dishonesty, adultery, and whatever — claiming they are not as bad as the rest of the world.
The whole Bible tells of many instances where God disciplines His children to get them back on the right track, but these children just resent the discipline. Instead of accepting God’s loving reproofs, they complain that God does not love or care for them. Their pride has twisted the truth of their sinful disobedience.
Instead of listening each time God’s word is presented in various ways, they just cover their ears and turn away. Often they are angry about the mere thought of hearing God’s word.
None of this scenario is new. God speaks through Isaiah around 700 B.C. about the same situation. In Isaiah 1:2-3, God says to all the Israelites (and us),
Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth; for the LORD speaks, “Sons I have reared and brought up, but, they have revolted against Me. An ox knows its owner, and a donkey its master’s manger, but Israel does not know, My people do not understand.”
Here God shows His sadness over His children. His own creation did not know Him as they should. When God blessed them, they felt they had received blessings because that was what they had worked for and earned — all by themselves. When God disciplined them by sending enemies to conquer them, they claimed there was no God — and IF there was, He did not love or care for them.
So, what do we know?
Do we know that God is our heavenly Father — that He alone created us — that all of our blessings are from Him — that His discipline is always in love — that His discipline is supposed to be our learning tool — that His eternal love still longs for us?
Do we know that when we turn back to our Savior, He will really welcome us? Do we know how deeply God desires our eternal good?
When our hearts become still and know that the LORD is God, we will see His everlasting love still wanting to bless us. Then we will say, “Hallelujah! Our Lord is ever faithful and loving.”
Love,
Margaret
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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and GOD of gods.
Pray for our country.
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The LORD made this day, let us rejoice and be glad in Him.
Psalm 118:24
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The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
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Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
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How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
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Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
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O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
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Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
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Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
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Hallelujah 
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