The Bible is full of examples of how God righteously brought judgement on the sins of Israel. All His ways are perfect, therefore no one is to question His perfect judgement. God is the one who will judge every man according to his ways (Ezekiel 18:30).
However, let me introduce you to another side of our God. One that seems to be the exact opposite of what you’d expect from the Judge that sees all things. One that shows mercy in judgement.
God’s Love and Compassion
If this God that we serve does not pardon the guilt and overlook our sins, we would have been destroyed long, long ago. God’s mercy calls for us to run to Him with great repentance and continual adoration of Him.
Prophet Micah writes about Him: ”Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love. Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean! “(Micah 7: 18-19)
Psalm 92 says: “It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening” (Psalm 92:2)
In Lamentations 3 the Bible tell us that “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Wait, literally every morning? Yes!
Every morning God seems to give us one more opportunity to turn away from our sins and start our lives right. You can find dozens of examples in the Word where God threatens violence and destruction, and then offers mercy and grace.
It almost looks like He has temporary amnesia (which we all appreciate and hope for), or it’s simply that He has the merciful heart of a Father.
God’s Covenant of Mercy
This God who commands His creation to not let anger go down before sunset, seemingly practices the same: “And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry” (Ephesians 4:26)
Psalm 30 tells us, “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:5)
God not only forgives our sins, but also forgets them if we confess our sins to Him (1 John 1:9). Every time you identify sin in your life and free yourself of its burden, you grow in faith.
Therefore beloved, now is the time for us to rise from underneath the weight of sin and guilt that oppresses you and eats your strength up. Now is the time to seek our salvation from all the failings through Christ alone. That He may see our torn hearts, show compassion, and redeem His bride to her glory!
How to Grow Deeper in Faith?
The Bible teaches us about growing in faith: “And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.” (2 Peter 1:4-10)
“So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1: 10-11)
Amen.
No matter how big a mess you made yesterday, today is a brand new day. On a new day, our God shows fresh mercy to His children in hopes that this fragile humanity will rise up to His desire and follow His direction.
Blessed? Don’t forget to share it with someone.