Hidden Face

Our church is under going a 21 day prayer and fast, together, as we seek the Lord's direction for this season of church life. Several members of the church felt that the Lord was leading us in this direction and so after much prayer and presenting to the church this idea of a 21 day prayer and fast, we all agreed it was a go. I suppose I should through this disclaimer out there for those who might think that I am trying to brag or boost of our corporate prayers and fast, I'M NOT, however, I will say that I think its really cool that everyone is on board with this thing and that we are not making it some legalistic thing! There are people even outside the church, from other churches that I heard were participating along with their friends and family members that come to Safe Harbor.
Well enough said with that. We are now into our 5th day of it and we are following a scriptural read through some chapters in Jeremiah and Daniel. In today's reading the Lord showed me something that I never really saw in this light before, so I thought I would share it with you. Have you ever wondered what happens when God allows punishment or judgement for sin to take place, like all throughout the OT?? I sure have. Well this morning I was reading Jeremiah 33 when the Lord opened my eyes to this statement, "The Chaldeans are coming in to fight and to fill them with the dead bodies of those whom I shall strike down in my anger and my wrath, for I HAVE HIDDEN MY FACE from this city because of all their wickedness." When I read those words, the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, "Only when I hid my face can this take place, because I cannot be part of the horrible things that take place because of the wickedness that has taken place in their lives, I allow these things to take place because they are of their actions." Another words God allows these things to happen because He is God (see Job).
Now that's not the end of the story as most of us know. This chapter in particular goes on to talk about the coming of Jesus and how God will put the law in the hearts of his people. And it goes on to talk about Jesus as the Righteous Branch and the Covenant with David. God always seems to bring healing after the punishment. Jeremaiah is prophesying about the coming captivity of Judah into the hands of the Babylonians and all that will take place during that time. So God is giving them hope in the midst of what is about to take place.
I just found it interesting, it was like a light came on and showed me how and why God allows things like punishment and oppression to take place and that when it does his face is hidden from us. How in your own life has God allowed you to go through some trying times or having not understood why things happen the way they did. Now I'm not claiming to know why God allows ALL things to happen, that is something we can ask on the other side of eternity, but I do know that when judgement and punishment happens God hids his face because he cannot be part of it, He just allows it for His good reasons and purposes.