A powerful preacher once told a teenager, “Young man, your arm’s too short to box with God.” The preacher meant we humans can never measure the extent of God’s infinite nature–His eternality, His unlimited power, knowledge, wisdom, love, and reliability. We often see evil all over our world and wonder if and when God will intervene to judge and stop it. But God is not like us–We cannot know God’s wisdom in punishing evil. Our minds are too small—too short to box with God. God sees the end from the beginning. He knows precisely when and how to punish evil and reward righteousness.
The prophet calls this to our attention in Hosea Chapter 11. We find how God’s patience ran out with Sodom and Gomorrah, so he destroyed them. Yet because of his covenant love for the descendants of Abraham, God spared them for a while, asking “How can I give you up?” Still, the time came when God’s patience ran out and they were sent into exile. Today, as a faithful Father, God loves us dearly, but when we go astray He may wisely let trouble drive us back home.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
