Maybe the Kingdom of God doesn't look like the kingdoms of this world.

Maybe God has something else in mind...

Psalm 72 - a Psalm for the King's Son

The gods of the world are made in the image of man, protected by man, carried by man.

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But the people of God are made in the image of GOD, protected by God, carried by God.

The question time after the Bible Study on June 25.

What does it mean that God hides himself, and yet speaks openly?

Does the free invitation of the gospel imply free agency?

What does it mean that "Christ is the head"?

The suffering servant is linked to the calling of the Gentiles. The Anointed one will be lifted up and draw all people to himself.

The scattered and wandering survivors are called to turn away from their idols to the living God, who is re-creating the earth to be inhabited by his people.

The work of redemption and new creation is something that is not possible except for the omnipotence of God. He alone can re-create and redeem his people.

God's hand is strong and he is good. He will deliver his people, and even the darkest times are times that are in his hands.

He is working. We can rest and wait for him to fulfill everything that he has promised

Unless sins are completely removed, mankind will flee from God, too frightened to come out of hiding. They turn to idols that they pretend they can appease, rather than the living God who sees the heart.

But God has taken away the sins of his people and urges them now to return to him.

This is the ministry of reconciliation. Be reconciled to God!

The God of Jacob formed mankind in his image, to reflect his attributes. Idolatry seeks to form god in the image of man.

God has blotted out our sins. Return to him.

Israel needs the cleansing flood of the Holy Spirit. God will fill them with his spirit, wash them from their sins and again his presence will dwell with his people; and he will be their God.

The Lord is the only one who can deliver us from the bondage of sin and misery, for salvation will take the almighty power of the Creator.

But he delights in showing himself strong. He is destroying the power of death and calling us back into his presence.