Woe to you who long for the day of the LORD!

… Will not the day of the LORD be darkness, not light— pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness?

… But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! Amos 5:18, 20, 24

Beth Moore’s lessons in Jesus, the One and Only includes a bit about her experience of being terribly hurt by someone. Our response is often to want God to deal with them, and harshly. She was in prayer and God asked her “What would you have me do to that person, Beth?” Because he is God, she knew what he could do and what is promised for those who do not turn from sin to God. Her reaction was to cry for mercy for that person instead of the right judgment of God.

It was a difficult day when I learned that my ex-husband had spurned mercy again and was convicted of Class 4 felony. In response to hearing of his plight, a friend said, “I’ve never been so sad to have my prayers answered.” Amos 5 came to mind: “Woe to you who long for the day of the Lord! Will not the day of the LORD be darkness, not light—pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness?” I was beginning to understand that all the more.

God knows the day and hour when enough will be enough, when his kingdom calendar reaches the time when Christ will return. He looks on the evil of this world. He watches its devastation in single lives, in communities, in cultures, and in nations as they war against each other. He grieves when the gospel is shared and rejected … and only some receive his mercy. He knows how dark and sad it will be on that day when all of heaven and those who believe watch as those who reject God go to their eternal destiny. We will never be so sad at our answered prayers!

I have asked God for his justice—in personal situations, in world situations, in relational situations, and in community situations. It is so hard to look upon these things, knowing it is right, it is just, it is fair, and it is safest for the people involved, and but it is so painful to watch justice roll in like the river.

God longs for all to be saved. He longs for people in places hidden away from most of the world’s view to have the opportunity to exercise his gift of choice. He longs for them to be given opportunity to choose life, to choose his Son, to choose to spend eternity with him.

So he waits. He extends mercy each day to an ever sicker world. He waits. He calls his church to love and extend mercy as he does. Will we answer the call? I long for God to answer my prayer for some from every tribe and tongue and nation to choose Jesus and receive his mercy and the gift of grace his death offers. I pray that victims will trust Jesus for the justice and find healing in his name.

Christ came with a sword (Matthew 10:34). Where he arrives, division comes. Some go the way of darkness, choosing to reject him. Some go the way of light, choosing to receive him. That day when the trumpet sounds, we who know him will join in the sadness of a king sending away many he loves to their eternal destination apart from his love. That day will be a day of woe and of darkness. As justice rolls in we will feel sick and sad for every human being who loves darkness more than light.

We have an urgent job to do. So many millions still need the opportunity to choose and then to lead their friends and neighbors to the choice. Jesus, help us go quickly. The time is short. Help us love the light!

Lord,

It is so hard when evil moves in so closely.

We feel the weight, the ugliness.

As a victim, I’m amazed at how the sin of one man has been able to bear down

And I can’t comprehend how

You could carry the weight of the sins of the whole world for all history

On yourself.

I understand why you wait.

You do not want any to perish.

You patiently give mercy toward gathering as many was will choose you.

Thank you, Lord. I choose you.

11/22/08 and 7/27/15