Just a quick thought that's been with me today:

This morning for Bible we read Exodus 3, an incredibly familiar tale of a mysterious bush, which although fully enflamed was not consumed. The voice of God came from this bush, and spoke words to Moses that both terrified and intrigued him. His life was never to be the same.

Vs. 3 says, "As Moses looked, he saw that the bush was on fire but was not consumed." And yet God was indwelling that bush. I kept hearing the words over and over, "Our God is a consuming fire." This is from Deuteronomy 4, where the Israelites are warned not to take on any idols or forget their covenant, because God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

I'm not sure why it hit me this way today, but I've just been mulling over the fact that God, a consuming fire, was burning in that bush and yet it was not consumed. Clearly, the Lord is able to keep from consuming when He chooses. And it occurred to me that this is exactly what He is doing now.

How hard must it be to hold back when this world is so full of evil? When there are millions of people starving to death because of the corruption of their government that holds back aid? When women and children are sold into slavery for pennies? When I can't safely change channels on the TV with my children present for fear of what we might be assaulted with that will steal a piece of their innocence that they can never get back?

There must be times when He is so grieved that it is everything He can do to hold back that destructive force. And yet He does. Why? Because of His incredible mercy.

And while His love will endure forever, there will be a time that His mercy for this world runs out. In the meantime, there's work to be done.