Who is doing the measuring?

^{Ezekial 17-20 - 17} “Yet your people say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ But it is their way that is not just. ¹⁸ If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and does evil, they will die for it. ¹⁹ And if a wicked person turns away from their wickedness and does what is just and right, they will live by doing so. ²⁰ Yet you Israelites say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ But I will judge each of you according to your own ways.”

When trying to figure out the mysteries of God, I often measure God by my moral yardstick.  I think the phrases 'Well, a just God wouldn't do this', or 'a just God wouldn't do that,' and 'Surely grace covers this.'  But who defines this justice?  Me or God?

Imagine for a minute that the glorious day finally comes.  We didn't deserve it at all, but there we are, sitting down with God.  He tells us that he has some time for us, to talk with us, to walk with us.  Time to explain some mysteries to us, and to answer our questions.

We are in the presence of the creator of the universe ... his presence alone is almost too much to handle.  If we were still on earth, we wouldn't be able to handle it.  The word humble is taking on a whole new meaning.  He starts by showing us all creation.  Imagine being able to view ALL the beauty of the earth, every amazing picture you have ever seen.  He then shows us the entire universe!  Everything is breathtaking.  We get to see all of humanity, some 'good', some 'bad'. 

As God gives us this tour, he is filling in the gaps.  He is giving us the 'big picture'.  He is explaining everything we could not see on earth, things we could never have understood.  The big picture is coming into focus.  It's like nothing our former brain could ever have comprehended.  You try to think in your old thoughts, but then the whole picture doesn't even make sense.  You are starting to get a picture of God, and who he truly is.  He is incredible.  He is amazing.  You finally begin to understand grace, and how 'lucky' you are to be there right now.  God is so much bigger, so much more 'pure' than you could ever have imagined down on earth.  You acted so poorly, and so against his purity, the fact that he walks with you today is astounding.

The tour is wrapping up, and God slows down a little.  'You said you had some questions for me?' he asks you.  You stop.  You had a ton of questions when you first arrived.  'How could <this> happen?'  'Why was <this> allowed to happen?'  But now, that you have been allowed to understand the big picture . . . you quietly respond, 

'No sir, I just wanted to say Thank You.'


Douglas Y. Knoll