A threatening fist - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
Colossian 1:21-22

A threatening fist
The emperor Julian reigned over the Roman Empire from 361 to 363 AD. He is generally called the Apostate because he turned away from Christianity to return to paganism. Denying his Christian education to return to heathen idolatry was in fact a public declaration of war against God. In the year 363, when he was wounded in the course of a war, he is said to have raised his clenched fist towards heaven, crying, "You have won, Galilean!" In death, he revolted against Jesus Christ.
Maybe you, too, are at war with God, even if not expressed so strongly. You cannot accept the verdict of the Word of God that declares everyone a sinner. You remain hostile to God, even though Jesus Christ came to earth in Person with the aim of reconciling you with Himself.
God is ready to forgive the most violent attitude towards Himself. Did Jesus not ask His Father to forgive those who crucified Him?
Until now you have felt bitter towards God. If you are willing to bow before Him, to withdraw that threatening fist, to silence the feeling of rebellion in your thoughts, then immediately the One whom you hate will appear as He truly is: the God of peace who grants real, perfect peace to whoever comes to Him. That peace was made by the crucified Jesus: God inflicted on Him the punishment that our rebellion deserved.
Do not reject this offer of reconciliation: Its source is found in the heart of God, who loves you.
Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 2