Psalm 107
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say this—
those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
3 those he gathered from the lands,
from east and west, from north and south
10 Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom,
prisoners suffering in iron chains,
11 for they had rebelled against the words of God
and despised the counsel of the Most High.
12 So he subjected them to bitter labor;
they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom
and broke away their chains.
15 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men,
16 for he breaks down gates of bronze
and cuts through bars of iron.
43 Whoever is wise, let him heed these things
and consider the great love of the LORD
It comes to me that You are always more willing to forgive than I.
Always more willing to redeem, to save, to sanctify, to rescue, to heal, to joyfully gather up those who turn back to You.
That even as the most wicked turn, so do You forgive. And I? I find myself with Jonah, subject to his heart, falling so short of Yours.
So, remember this, even as we wish judgment on our enemies, that the Lords ways are not our ways; the way of love is a different path indeed.
How easy it is to become polarised, negative, judgmental, to wish harm to our enemies and delight in their judgment – but this is not the Way of the Cross.
The Lord desires the destruction of no man, and no church. The heart of Love is the heart of grief also.
And, the church that walks proudly into the outer darkness, do we rejoice? No, we mourn as the Lord mourns.
Judgment, when it comes, is not gleeful, but with the deepest heart of pain and anguish.
Judgment is from the heinous offence against the heart of love itself; never is it vindictive or malicious.
Pray therefore, not for judgment or separation, though these things may come, but that even at the 11th hour folk may awaken to their reality, turn and be healed.
Let us have a heart for reconciliation, a heart to save, a heart to bring the harvest home, a heart to love with the Lords burning love. For the Lord desires the destruction of no man.
The Age To Come 
May the Father give us His heart for both individuals and for the church. I know He is grieved; it is ever and always His will that people come in repentance and turn from their ways.
May the Lord have mercy on us all in this day, giving us willing hearts to serve and grace to obey!
He is moving, and you are right. Out of the ashes something new will arise, built on the sure foundation of the Lord Jesus Christ. For He who has called us is faithful, His hand is not short, His will will be done in the earth, as it is in Heaven.
Blessings to you always Peter!
Susan
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Greetings. Indeed we really have to love our neighbor as ourself; regardless of our neighbors attributes. I think about Samuel who wept all night long because the Lord had rejected Saul from being king. Likewise, when Jesus approached Jerusalem and wept; telling of how many times he would have gathered them together but they refused. Truly his compassion and love is on a level beyond our comprehension and as such, we must abide in him continually and be transformed day by day. Thanks for this very needful post.
Have a great day in Christ.
timbob
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Hi Susan – I think that we are past time to turn aside judgment, so it seems to me that the Lord is preparing us to understand His heart in all this. At the same time, I think we are seeing and will see some of the most hardened and judgment-worthy (in our own estimation) turn and be saved. Blessings!
Hi Timbob – Greetings too 🙂 I am glad that this spoke to you, it certainly did to me!
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Peter, I do so agree. We may be surprised at who turns to the Lord and who falls. From what I’ve seen there will be many when faced with judgement that will cry out in true repentance that no one would think ever will.
May the Lord help us all by His grace, to stand in the coming days, to be faithful and embrace those who come and call on the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessings to you!
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And also to you! Amen.
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