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Numbers 14:18; Psalm 145:8; Exodus 34:6-7; Psalm 103:8
“The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in kindness, forgiving iniquity and rebellion; yet certainly not declaring the guilty guiltless, but punishing children to the third and fourth generation for their parents’ iniquity.’“Numbers 14:18
I think that so many times we get so wrapped up in feeling as if we are going to get punished for our parents’ mistakes. Of course, that is assuming that our parents have made mistakes. I feel that most parents sit back as their children grow older and wonder if they would have done this better or that better, and maybe things would be different. Maybe, the decision to move to a part time job instead of full time job in order to stay home with your children made a huge change in your life. You may sit back and wonder if it was the right decision; if this will punish your children as they get older. But you see, just as parents always have their children in mind… the Lord always has us in mind, as well.
He knows that we aren’t perfect. He knows that we make mistakes, and he knows that we are indeed trying our best to serve him. And when we fall flat on our faces, he is merciful.
He isn’t like that coach we had in high school when we dropped the ball, missed a catch or didn’t make that goal… the one who would scream at us, make us run 2 miles as punishment and then make us run it backwards with our eyes closed.
He is slow to anger, meaning it isn’t his first reaction. His first reaction is kindness. He’s gonna get you with kindness before he gets mad at you, and through his kindness he will forgive you. Never saying that you are not guilty or that what you did wasn’t wrong. But, He is willing to forgive you, never to punish you for the past.
You see our Lord is merciful. Merciful. Slow to anger. Abounding in mercy. Abounding in gratitude. Abounding in kindness. This isn’t the only place we see this either. Take a look:
“So the LORD passed before him and proclaimed: The LORD, the LORD, a God gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love and fidelity, continuing his love for a thousand generations, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin; yet not declaring the guilty guiltless, but bringing punishment for their parents’ wickedness on children and children’s children to the third and fourth generation!” Exodus 34:6-7
“Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger, abounding in mercy.” Psalm 103:8
“The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in mercy.” Psalm 145:8
Reflection
You see it is repeated so often for us to see, so that we will never forget. That no matter where we have gone. No matter what we have done. He is an all loving, all kind, all merciful God. He won’t come at you in anger, asking you where you have been or what you have been doing - for He already knows. But what he will do is forgive where you have been and what you have done. And graciously welcome you into His arms.
1.So I challenge you, what do you need to bring to Him today to see His mercy?
2.What do you need to let him forgive so that you can be wrapped in His mercy?
