- Joined
- Oct 26, 2007
- Messages
- 11,539
"Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say: 'Return, backsliding Israel,' says the LORD; 'I will not cause My anger to fall on you. For I [am] merciful,' says the LORD; 'I will not remain angry forever. Jeremiah 3:12
The Israelites had entered into a covenant with God, had dedicated themselves and their children and all they owned to Him. But they then failed to keep their vows. They'd been faithless. This angered God, and He began to chastise them, removing His blessings and warning that if they didn't repent, total judgment would come.
But if they did repent…that was an entirely different matter! God promised that He would then put aside His anger, relent from sending judgment, and graciously, mercifully receive them.
If you've sinned against the Lord, you may hesitate to return to Him, fearful that He will only grudgingly and conditionally forgive you, unload a series of lectures on you, and still be seething with anger afterward--ready to toss you out for the slightest infraction. But even in Old Testament days, under the Law of Moses, God made it clear that He wasn't like that.
God says, "I am merciful." Do you trust that He's telling the truth? Of course, He is! So return to Him today.
Prayer: God, help me to put the full weight of faith in Your promise that You're merciful. Help me to trust Your word completely and find forgiveness and peace.
The Israelites had entered into a covenant with God, had dedicated themselves and their children and all they owned to Him. But they then failed to keep their vows. They'd been faithless. This angered God, and He began to chastise them, removing His blessings and warning that if they didn't repent, total judgment would come.
But if they did repent…that was an entirely different matter! God promised that He would then put aside His anger, relent from sending judgment, and graciously, mercifully receive them.
If you've sinned against the Lord, you may hesitate to return to Him, fearful that He will only grudgingly and conditionally forgive you, unload a series of lectures on you, and still be seething with anger afterward--ready to toss you out for the slightest infraction. But even in Old Testament days, under the Law of Moses, God made it clear that He wasn't like that.
God says, "I am merciful." Do you trust that He's telling the truth? Of course, He is! So return to Him today.
Prayer: God, help me to put the full weight of faith in Your promise that You're merciful. Help me to trust Your word completely and find forgiveness and peace.
