If one is willing to stop and listen to the footprints on a sandy shore they will speak. Footprints confess the direction their maker went. They also tell you something about their maker, whether he or she is large or small, as well as whether their maker was in a hurry or leisurely strolling along.
In a similar manner, the ways in which God has acted throughout history have left behind "footprints." These marks in history reveal to us a number of things about their Maker.
Knowing who God is through His footprints comforted the Psalmist. In Psalm 106:6 he freely admits, "we have sinned just as our fathers have done." Psalm 106 is a recounting of how Israel repeatedly failed God. How had they sinned? Although God performed many mighty miracles in Egypt, the people promptly forgot God's love and rebelled against Him. When God later saved them, they briefly sang His praises but "soon forgot what God had done for them." Psalm 106:10-13 Virtually the entire Psalm is a long history of Israel's sin against God, which is summed up in verse 43 with the author's confession that although God delivered them many times, the people were determined to rebel and waste away in sin.
What footprints did God leave in history? Did God merely ignore their sin as though it was not a big deal? No, God did punish them for their sinful rebellion. Psalm 106:15,17-19, 26-27 Did God summarily and totally destroy his people when they sinned? No. Fortunately, the Psalmist is able to affirm that in spite of this grueling history of sin and punishment, God remembered His covenant with Israel and acted out of His great love. Psalm 106:45 History reveals a God who patiently seeks to repeatedly bring his people back to himself. Love is patient. 1 Corinthians 13:4 And so the Psalmist, knowing God's track record, comes before God pleading for deliverance.
Although the Word was with God and was God, God sent the Word to take on flesh because humanity was lost under the condemnation of sin. Where was God's focus? On himself? No, his love was poured out for us when he sent his only begotten Son to die that we might live. John 3:16 Love is not self-seeking. 1 Corinthians 13:5
How did God respond to those who are foolish, disobedient and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures? Out of His love, God has saved them when they repented and turned to Jesus. Although they did not deserve this salvation, God through Jesus extended to them mercy by allowing them to be saved by the washing of rebirth and a renewal of the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:3-7 Love is kind. 1 Corinthians 13:4
These few images of love embedded in history which we have considered are not simply remote curious footprints through time. They reveal something of God's love to us. God is love and we are to live lives of love. 1 John 4:16
Although certain ones might cry out that they can't understand true love because their surrounding environment, the nature of their family heritage, and their personal experiences within society have all been disfunctional, the story of God's footprints through history stand as a timeless message and model of true love. Although others might fail us, God is our model of faithful love. Although others might be unkind, selfish, arrogant, unforgiving, boastful and impatient, God is our example of love.
Other Articles Which Might Be Of Interest:
What Does A True Friend Look Like? (Learning to love)
Choices Within Your Reach That Affect Your Relationships (Love Can Change How You View Someone Else)
Barry Newton, Copyright © 1998