All sin is the fruit of unbelief. However, for God to judge sin and punish sinners, unbelief must be confirmed by sinful behaviour. So, I ask the question, “Why is sinful behaviour increasing on the earth, as Paul predicted? Is God preparing the ungodly for the day of judgment when the full extent of sin in the hearts of sinners will exposed, and God’s justice will be vindicated?”

Where does God’s mercy fit into His dealings with humans?

Throughout the Bible, it is clear that God chose Israel to be His special people. Above all other nations, Israel belonged to God and is still His treasured possession. He set up a legally binding covenant with them in which He gave detailed instructions for them to obey as their part of the agreement.

Israel was not left in doubt about the way God would treat them if they failed to observe the terms of His covenant. Yet, despite the ministry of His prophets throughout their history, Israel persistently rebelled against the Lord, defied His instructions, and paid the price for their disobedience.

God chose to prepare Israel to bring His Messiah to earth through them. He gave them the Promised Land as their eternal possession, from where Jesus will rule when He returns to redeem the earth and to set up His kingdom.

No other nation on earth has ever received God’s promises of restoration as Israel has received despite their unfaithfulness. Every prophecy of judgment against God’s people is concluded with a promise of return to their own land and renewal of their relationship with God and the destruction of their enemies.

Why is God so adamant about restoring His people despite their rejection of His covenant? Many thousands of Jews have perished at the hands of their enemies but God has always preserved a remnant for Himself.

The answer… His covenant with Abraham which overrides all other covenants and was fulfilled by the coming of Jesus. Not only did God set up a covenant with Abraham’s physical descendants but also with Abraham’s descendants through faith in Jesus.

‭Galatians‬ ‭3:26‬ ‭NLT‬
[26] “For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus…
[29] And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and the promise to Abraham belongs to you.”

Even the covenant God made with Israel at Mount Sinai has an expiry date.

‭Hebrews‬ ‭8:7‭-‬8‬ ‭NLT‬
[7]” If the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second covenant to replace it. [8] But when God found fault with the people, he said: “The day is coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah….
[13] When God speaks of a “new” covenant, it means he has made the first one obsolete. It is now out of date and will soon disappear.”

So, for all who have faith in Jesus, there is a cycle of grace into which we have entered, which guarantees our eternal salvation if we remain faithful to the one who bought us with His own blood. Yes, God rescued His covenant people from extermination and extinction over and over again as His enemies were determined to wipe Israel from the earth – the Egyptians, the Amalekites, the Philistines, the Assyrians, the Babylonians, Haman the Agagite, Hitler, and even Hamas in the current war against Israel… but God! His promise still stands.

How much more, then, will He keep His promise to those who have been saved by His grace through Jesus. The world hates God’s people, Jews and Christians of every tribe and language. The world would love to wipe us out.
But God…

He has promised an eternal home with Him to all who have entered His rest in by faith in Jesus. His favour is a shield of protection around us. Whatever the circumstances of our lives, good or bad, He is working for our good to recreate us to be like Jesus.

So, take heart, dear family of God. You are safe in the circle of God’s favour, now and forever, as you hold fast, faithful and steadfast, to your Lord, and remain in union with Him. Israel’s story will always remind us that God is who He says He is, and always does what He says He will do. Judgment or salvation? God is faithful.