Devoted to Distruction

^"15you shall surely put the inhabitants of that city to the sword, devoting it to destruction, all who are in it and its cattle, with the edge of the sword. ¹⁶You shall gather all its spoil into the midst of its open square and burn the city and all its spoil with fire, as a whole burnt offering to the LORD your God." --- Deuteronomy 13:15-16

This morning I read the thirteenth chapter of Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy is basically Moses' testament to the nation of Israel. In the thirteenth chapter, Moses told the people of Israel what to do if someone tried to entice them away to serve other gods. The above quoted section was what Moses told Israel to do if "certain worthless fellows" (Deut. 13:13) draw a city away to follow other gods.

Here is the point. I was not too happy this morning and so read the bible to remind me of God's wrath. Rather, after reading this chapter (I am reading through the old testament) I was reminded of God's mercy. I began praying about this chapter after I read it. God's remedy for city where at least some of the inhabitants have been deceived and chosen to follow other gods are seems so harsh. As I was praying it came to me...I was like that city. My affections stray away from Jesus. But God's remedy for me was the cross. I should have been destroyed, but instead I was made a child of God.

You who hated sin
saved this sinner.