Friday, July 20, 2012

Compassionate, merciful, full of unfailing love


The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly. He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel. The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. Psalm 103: 6-12 NLT

God is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and full of unfailing love.

How often we forget these powerful words of scripture! We tend to focus on the judging God, the critical God, the disapproving God. This is because we are surrounded by people who are judging, critical and disapproving. We can't seem to make any humans happy, so why shouldn't God be any different?

But we are reminded in Psalm 103 that God revealed God's character to Moses. Moses was saved from an early death and raised in the most prestigious household in Egypt. Moses committed murder yet God kept him from being brought to account for it. Moses lived for years in exile in the desert – where he learned the skills God's people would need. God called Moses to go to Pharaoh and to lead God's people. God gave Moses the rules for the people to live by and the leadership skills to guide them for years. God continually showed Moses compassion, mercy, and love. God was slow to get angry even when Moses kept coming up with excuses for not following God's direction.

How much more will God be compassionate and merciful toward us.

God, thank you for your mercy, compassion, unfailing love and forgiveness. You are an awesome God. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

No comments:

Post a Comment