Many people see God as a punisher, waiting for them to fail so He can judge them. I grew up thinking like that through listening and watching imperfect Christian representatives of God’s nature. But the truth is, God is a God of love, mercy and most important, covenant. He does not delight in seeing people suffer – let alone punishing them. But his heart is in redeeming, restoring and renewing.
God reveals Himself in this way in Exodus 34:6 by saying He is compassionate, merciful, slow to anger, filled with loyal love and faithfulness. And proceeds to tell Moses that he is a God who blesses and then makes a covenant to prove himself. From the beginning of the Bible, God makes covenants with people to prove his everlasting commitment to them – and scripture is filled with stories of his patience, forgiveness and mercy toward those who turn back to Him.
When people fell short, He never abandoned them. Consider Noah, Abraham, and David – men who made mistakes, yet were upheld by God’s promises. His covenant is unbreakable
God is also a God of second chances. Jonah ran away, but God still used him. Peter denied Jesus, yet he was restored. No matter how far we stray, God’s arms remain open.
Maybe you’ve been messing up in life. Not getting it right. Not being the husband or father that your family needs. Maybe you’re overwhelmed as a mother. If you feel unworthy, remember this: God’s love is greater than your failures. His grace is more than sufficient to empower you, and his promise to you is, “I will never leave nor forsake you.”
God never asks us to do anything he hasn’t or doesn’t do himself, so when he says forgive your brother 70 times seven it means that is what he does with us.
Acknowledge your failure and need. Failure is not the end, but a learning curve. Ask Him for forgiveness and help. Accept his forgiveness and grace. Trust Him to restore you, your passion and purpose.
– Emmanuel Archontakis, of the Kingdom Ministries of Christ.
