Him who struck them

Today I read Isaiah 9:8-17 at Lectio. The phrase that struck me was, "But the people have not returned to him who struck them". At first I read it wrong, I added punctuation and read it like this, "But the people have not returned to him. Who struck them?" I guess it didn't sink in at first that it was God who struck them. So, why would they return?

In fact, the rest of the passage says his hand was raised as if to hit them again and yet they still didn't return, duh. Passages like this make it hard to see God as a loving God who loves me more than anything or anyone. I know this to be true from what I read about how he sent Jesus. But, when I read a passage that says he beat his people for their disobedience then stood there with raised hand to beat them again and they didn't return, I have to ask is this the same God who sent Jesus?

I wonder, what does this mean (I don't mean theologically, I don't need more theology). Why do I see two faces of God when I read the OT and the NT? I guess I don't have to get this or understand it, just except and put none of my expectations on God. Humanly, it makes no sense but then, God is not human is he?

The Secret To Happiness

I saw a guy on the Bonnie Hunt show yesterday. He wrote a book about his time spent with an elderly Rabi who wanted him to give his eulogy. He said at one point the Rabi asked if he wanted to know the secret to happiness and of course he said "yes". The Rabi said, be satisfied. He went on to say, be grateful for all God has given and provided.

I thought about that and it does seem to hold tremendous wisdom and sage advice for finding happiness. But, it seems to me there is something else. Yes, be satisfied with what God is doing in your life, be grateful for what He has done and don't force your expectations on what He should do.

A lot of our problems come when we misplace our human expectations on Creator God. Why doesn't he cure my illness, provide for me financially, bring about world peace and stop hunger? All these expectations but what do we know about being God? It's like in the movie "Bruce Almighty", when Bruce became overwhelmed with prayer requests he simply grants them all - and what a mess!

So, be satisfied with what God is doing (He knows what's best), be grateful for all He's done (I didn't deserve any of it) and don't put your expectations on what He should do (I really don't have a clue what "should be").