Al spoke to us this morning and he reminded us that chaos brings desolation and God’s purpose is unrelenting, seen in the cross, the lost sheep, the lost coins and the mercy extended to Paul: God looks for a new creation. Even when people are stupid and desecrate the land, Jeremiah tells us there isn’t a full end and the psalm reassures that out of his true people there comes restoration.

It is Christ that restores, Christ the shepherd and Christ the widow searching for her coins. In the Jeremiah passage it is clear how God looks to the created order to see how the land is to be destroyed, and the wind, so useful at the time of harvest for the cleansing of the grain becomes destructive, not a means of purification. I find it problematic to say that the people were made militarily weak because of their unrighteousness, as then that would imply the might of their enemies was because of their faithfulness to their god. No, God withdraws and allows the foolishness of his daughter, Jerusalem to run its course: they have listened and the uncoercive, unrelenting love of God runs its course and as a result his daughter is to experience devastation.

Paul is one who was a man of violence who encountered the mercy and grace of Jesus, whose love transformed him. This is the way of love that heralds ever flowing love.

It is good to discuss these things and know our need. Where were you?