Never Consumed!

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22,23 NIV

Rebellion consumes the mind and ignites opposition to authority. The serpent in the garden ignited rebellion and opposition to God's Word in Eve and Adam and resulted in their eviction from The Garden.

Hate consumes the mind and ignites more hate without reason. All of the dictators who systematically killed others who opposed them and spread lies in order to get others to do their dirty work--were consumed with hate.

Fire consumes everything in its path, without bias--destruction emerges as the end result. The lake of fire has been prepared for all liars, fornicators, adulterers--and those who refuse to Believe God. They will be consumed and nothing left of them to deter others.

But love--soothes the rising of anger and replaces it with peace and hope. Love stamps out those fires of unbelief and rebellion and hate, enveloping us and sealing us with His love. And it is because of Love--that we are not consumed with carnal desires, displeasing God on a daily basis. His love embraces us and His mercies are new every morning--saving us from ourselves.

Are we consumed with the desire to love? Are we attempting to do everything we can to please God rather than self? Love never destroys, but builds. Love never makes excuses for not doing right, but finds reasons to promote itself. Love does not see differences, but looks for opportunities to understand and accept diversity. We are all one race--the human race--and love embraces one and all.

Love and hate cannot abide in the same place for either love will reign or hate will reign. Where love reigns, peace abides and no one is sacrificed for another. Where hate reigns--destruction is imminent--and no one is given any consideration at all. If we are not consumed because of God's love for us, we should do as He does and just--love!

The evidence is clear--we can see it with our own eyes--both naturally and spiritually how hate consumes and destroys on a daily basis. With all of the people who are senselessly killed on a daily basis--undisciplined minds raging out of control and their feelings taking over and driving them to do dastardly things that cost lives--others and theirs for when they do wrong--eventually they are caught and their lives end in prison or a morgue.

There's a reason we are still here--not consumed by passions that destroy, but saved to be filled to overflowing with His love to share with others. Because of His endless love and mercies--we are never consumed with hatred or the desire to destroy. We have work to do to make sure that love and compassion never cease as we promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So, let's get busy and make sure complacency and indifference never consume us, leaving us wondering why we cannot move forward in His name!

Fill us, Lord--to overflowing with Your love and compassion every day!