Reading from Monday, October 4

So as you guys know, I am a giant nerd. Every once in a while I check out this gaming message board called NeoGaf. These are like the big boys of game talk and news on the web. Very smart guys and girls over there, and none of the moronic internet foolishness that you see most other places. Anyway, they have a "non gaming" section and I posted a thread about this blog. The discussion has been really interesting over there as they're just kind of debating theology and religion in general. If you have some time, check it out here.

Reading for October 4
Jeremiah 2:31-4:18
Terrifying...

⁸ So put on sackcloth,
       lament and wail,
       for the fierce anger of the LORD
       has not turned away from us.
 ⁹ "In that day," declares the LORD,
       "the king and the officials will lose heart,
       the priests will be horrified,
       and the prophets will be appalled."

 ¹⁸ "Your own conduct and actions
       have brought this upon you.
       This is your punishment.
       How bitter it is!
       How it pierces to the heart!"

So God is talking about a day when punishment will rain down on his people. Again, we could look at this and tremble in fear (what I'm currently doing) or we could look at this from a different angle. What if this punishment he's talking about is the death of Christ? Look at verse 18 specifically. Think about looking at Jesus dying on the cross and then recalling that verse. "This is your punishment." Our punishment is nothing, but because of us, an innocent, perfect man was tortured and destroyed. If you believe in this stuff, and that doesn't cut to your heart, I'd be very surprised.

"This is your punishment. "

Wow.

Colossians 1:1-17
Christ, defined:

¹⁵He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. ¹⁷He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

That first part is what I need to remember. Jesus is the human representation of God. If we want to know what God is like, we should look to Jesus. 

Psalm 76:1-12
A little sick...

¹⁰ Surely your wrath against men brings you praise,
       and the survivors of your wrath are restrained.

It's just...I don't like that. I don't like praising someone who is bringing punishment on people...

Proverbs 24:21-22
Don't you join the rebellious people. Ya hear?

 ²¹ Fear the LORD and the king, my son,
       and do not join with the rebellious,
 ²² for those two will send sudden destruction upon them,
       and who knows what calamities they can bring?
       Further Sayings of the Wise

Supoib.