I’ve read through the Bible several times. When reading through the Old Testament stories, I get frustrated with God’s people. Over and over, God gives them amazing blessings, like water that spurts right out of a rock when they get thirsty and bread that falls from the sky every morning when they get hungry and a pillar of smoke during the day and fire at night to show them the way to go. But the stories then tell how, almost immediately, the people forget and start complaining and, even worse, start worshiping other gods. This pattern of blessing and rebellion happens over and over and over.
I think one of the purposes of all those disappointing stories is to highlight one key aspect of God’s character: His unrelenting faithfulness. Over and over His people turn their backs on Him. And over and over He forgives them when they come crawling back to Him in shame and regret.
Today’s verse says in one sentence what the whole Old Testament teaches through hundreds of stories.
God’s amazing forgiveness, love, and faithfulness are mind-boggling. As I read the stories, I have to admit I sometimes feel like God should just scrap the human race and start fresh. I would have given up on them pretty early on. But God doesn’t. Every time His people come back to Him and repent with humility, He forgives them. He may make them live out the consequences they created, but He continues to love them, heal them, and renew His promises.
What a God we have!
Dear God,
Thank you so much for refusing to hang on to your anger the way I often do. I’m in awe of your generous forgiveness. Your faithful love is awe-inspiring and beautiful. I’m so glad to be counted as one of your children. Open my eyes to times when I am rebellious and ungrateful so that I can change and return to you for forgiveness and a restored relationship.
CamDevo 