S) "9 Amaziah said to the man of God, 'But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the troops of Israel?' And the man of God answered, 'The Lord has much more to give you than this.' 10 Then Amaziah dismissed them, the troops which came to him from Ephraim, to go home; so their anger burned against Judah and they returned home in fierce anger."
2 Chronicles 25:9-10 (NASB)
O) This has a lot of layers to it. The king of Judah hired some Israelite soldiers, without first consulting the LORD. God's grace allows that he didn't suffer the financial loss of his regrettable spending (one hundred talents of silver); in fact, God blesses him with more. However, God does allow some of the consequence of his behavior to carry through. God's mercy is complete, and His grace is surpassing, but He sometimes allows the direct, temporal consequences of our sins to be used as discipline, so that we understand the full benefit of devout obedience.
A) Many times, I have dealt with buyer's remorse. God continues to provide financially. There have been plenty of errors that have created natural repercussions. Through it all, God continues to show Himself faithful, patient, compassionate, and powerful. I need to thank God for the measure of grace He gives, when I act the fool. Perhaps I need to be even more thankful when He disciplines me through my mistakes.
P) Father, thank You for grace and mercy, and also discipline. Please let me be shaped by Your correction, and the experience of the consequences I create by my sins. Help me face them with courage and hope, knowing the good fruit it will bring. Thank You for loving me as a son, enough to discipline me so. Let me rest in the assurance of Your love, through all grace and mercy and discipline. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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