Life is a hierarchy. Some things are more important or fundamental than others, and this affects how we treat things further down the hierarchical ‘list’. For instance, we might brush our teeth every morning. That is a rule we keep. But if a day comes when you need to be somewhere else and you don’t get time, then if whatever you need to get to is more important or fundamental than brushing your teeth, you will do it. Another example would be that we obey the law set down by the Government (as the Bible instructs), but if that comes to disobeying God’s law, then we obviously follow God’s way and disobey the national law (since God’s way is more important and fundamental). Most of these hierarchical things in our life are chosen logically or by necessity. But some are rather arbitrary. We will come back to that later. I was surprised (I don’t really know why!) to read this in Isaiah 54:9
‘For this is like the waters of Noah to Me;
For as I have sworn
That the waters of Noah would no longer cover the earth,
So I have sworn
That I would never again be angry with you, nor rebuke you.’ (Isaiah 54:9)
This is an unconditional promise! God is saying that His promise of peace with Israel is more fundamental than whatever evils they could contrive. Now, this won’t fully come into effect until the Millennial kingdom, when Israel will be the spiritual and social centre of the world, and the world will enjoy peace.
But I just love the way God is saying ‘It’s not about what you do, because this is not about that. This is like the waters of Noah. It’s an unconditional promise that I made. This is more important than trivial evils and goods that you can come up with.’
‘For the mountains shall depart
And the hills be removed,
But My kindness shall not depart from you,
Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,
Says the LORD, who has mercy on you.’ (Isaiah 54:10)
This is fundamental! It doesn’t matter if mountains move or deteriorate away – God won’t change His promise, He won’t change His mind about Israel. They are His people, and that is that.
Now that applies to us twofold. Initially, we see almost instantaneously that it is this type of promise, this type of unconditional grace that God has bestowed on us through the Lord Jesus. And this mesmerizes us. God looks at us and says ‘It doesn’t matter what you’ve done! This is like the waters of Noah to me, for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah will no longer cover the earth, so I have sworn that I will never be angry with you, nor rebuke you!’ He looks at us and doesn’t see our sin and filth. He only sees His promise, He only knows that which is more important. What an encouragement!
Secondly however, this type of unconditional love must be seen in our own lives! If Jesus is our example, who is the very essence of God’s love for us, which is this promise, this fundamental choice of grace, then we ought to show this type of love in our own lives. This is the type of love where the person is more important than the deeds. Forgiveness is more important than revenge or regret. Where appreciation is more important than social implications. Where encouragement is more important than safety. Where kind words are more important than the time spent. Where grace is more important than justice. Where their life is more important than your reputation. Where they are more important than you.
This is an arbitrary choice. This is a choice, a designation of the will, to say ‘I am for that person, no matter what they do or what they have done.’ Parents do it all the time. Husbands and wives should always be doing it all the time. We will never be at Jesus’ standard, nevertheless, shall we not try, in His strength?
