"Smite with Might"

"He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land. He smote their vines also and their fig trees; and brake the trees of their coasts." (Psalms 105:32-33)
There is nothing I like better than a really good teaching from God's word. If it brings forth new and fresh teaching, it can really stimulate the mind. That said, there is some caution that must be used when we hear new doctrine or teaching; God will never contradict something He has said before, or say anything that does not line up with who He is. Yesterday I heard a little different spin on a lesson God tested Moses with; it was about the time Moses was up on the mountain for 40 days, and when the children of Israel were down in the valley being sinful, worshipping a golden calf. If you don't recall it, it is found in Exodus 32:9-14, and it was when God told Moses that He would smite all the children of Israel and would make a new nation of him. This is God's way of making a servant-leader and causing Moses to fall in love with God's people. In the teaching, the pastor spoke about how Moses declined the promotion for the sake of the people. That might not seem like such a big deal, but it was to God; and Moses passed the test by pleading with God to spare the children of Israel and to remember His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. In case you might have missed it, the test was more about the reaction of Moses to God's statement, but it was also to test Moses on what God has originally said, that He never goes back on His word! In verse 14, it says, "And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people;" that word "repented," is the same word from that controversial verse in Genesis 6:6, "And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart." You know, it took a lot of grief for the Father to see His Son crucified on that cross; I am sure that He repented of the experience also. But the word used for this expression or feeling is a little more complex than just being sorry over something you have done, or thought to do; it speaks of being moved with pity, and having compassion; it speaks of comforting oneself, and to ease oneself. There was another person tested after 40 days, Jesus, who was tempted by the devil after 40 days of fasting. The devil tried to tempt Him by using God's word to make it seem logical; but when the word of God is contradicted by a statement, it needs to be corrected. Fortunately for all of us, Jesus passed the test! There is more power in the word of God than we sometimes realize; many people take it for granted and use it half-heartedly. But God, in His ultimate wisdom and love, has given us His written word, that we might not only grow by it, but that we might use it to smite evil, and to also comfort one another. In a strange and unique way, the word for "repented" is a word that also represents the Word of God, the Love of God, and God's great plan of redemption. So, you are probably wondering how this all ties into the two verses above; I was just beginning to do the same...
"Honor the LORD, you heavenly beings; honor the LORD for his glory and strength. Honor the LORD for the glory of his name. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness. The voice of the LORD echoes above the sea. The God of glory thunders. The LORD thunders over the mighty sea. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic. The voice of the LORD splits the mighty cedars; the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon's mountains skip like a calf; he makes Mount Hermon leap like a young ox. The voice of the LORD strikes with bolts of lightning. The voice of the LORD makes the barren wilderness quake; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the LORD twists mighty oaks and strips the forests bare. In his Temple everyone shouts, "Glory!" The LORD rules over the floodwaters. The LORD reigns as king forever. The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace."
(Psalms 29) NLT