The Other Side of God

"See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand" (Deuteronomy 32:39).

The same God, full of grace, love, compassion, and mercy, is also capable of righteous anger. He can strike down with His might. Life and death rest entirely in His hands. If He decrees that you will live, no matter how grave your illness or dire your situation, nothing will take you.

Remember the three Hebrew men who were cast into the flames yet walked out unharmed. Recall Daniel, thrown into a den of lions, but God sealed the lions' mouths. Satan, though powerful, is limited by God's authority. He can only do what God permits, as seen with Job. Satan was allowed to strip Job of his wealth, family, and health, but God preserved his life.

"The Lord will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed" (Deuteronomy 28:27).

God can send afflictions that no doctor can cure. Not every trial you face comes from the devil. Sometimes, it is God's hand moving in response to disobedience, shaking us out of our comfort and reminding us of His sovereignty.

Many picture God as only merciful, forgetting that He can bring judgment upon us when we stray from His will. When Satan afflicts, God can deliver. But when God afflicts, who can deliver you?

No force is mightier than God. He can stir up the winds to bring down planes, shake the earth to topple buildings, or hold back the rain to cause famine. Conversely, He can send floods to sweep away all you've stored. The human race must realize that we exist for God's glory, to serve Him, honor Him, and acknowledge His supreme authority.

"The Lord shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart" (Deuteronomy 28:28).

God can change our thoughts, our perceptions, when we refuse to follow His path. He can allow spiritual blindness until we begin to see as He does. His guidance is clear: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Yet many choose lives of sin, turning to drinking, theft, lying, and worse.

"The Lord shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head" (Deuteronomy 28:35).

Striking the knees symbolizes the destruction of pride. Bowing is an act of submission, and to those who resist, God will humble you, breaking down your arrogance.

No one can bring you low like God can. You may boast of your education and titles, but find yourself without work. You may take pride in your wealth, only for God to strike your bank account. You may treasure your home, but it can be consumed by fire. Material wealth means nothing if God is not first in your life. Without Him, even the richest soul is poor.

"And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you" (2 Chronicles 15:2).

Let God guide your actions, thoughts, and decisions so that you remain in His will. Walking in alignment with God opens you to His blessings. Prioritize Him in everything you do and strive never to forsake Him.

The afflictions I face now weren't from the devil. I believe God allowed this suffering because of my continuous defiance. This realization has brought me a profound fear of God and deep reverence. Now, all I can do is seek His mercy, for only He can heal me and lift me from this trial.

So when you hear me speak of God and lift up His name in praise, know that I do so because I’ve experienced firsthand what He can do, and I fear His judgment should I stray again.

In the end, it all boils down to this: Fear God, and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of mankind.🙏