Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance?  You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. Micah 7:18.  

God who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else?  Romans 8:32.  

My study Bible tells me that every book in the Old Testament contains a message of Gods love and mercy.  “God wants his people to succeed and be prosperous.  He wants the best for them.  He is always eager to restore them.  He protects, directs, sustains, and covenants with them.  His steadfast love is characterized by faithfulness in spite of constant wandering in unfaithfulness.”  ( from the NKJV Foundation Study Bible, p.1017.)  

Would that we could believe those statements with our whole hearts, and remember them always.  When problems take over our lives, we often don’t pray about them but put our own plans into action.  Maybe things work out and maybe they don’t.  God knows our wandering, our unbelief, our tendency to rely on ourselves.  God knows how much we need Him and He delights in giving us what we need and more. 

Does God get angry with us sometimes?  Perhaps.  His anger with his chosen people was often spoken of in the Old Testament.  We live in New Testament times but God hasn’t changed.  Our goal should be to please him, to thank him, to praise him.  And to ask for forgiveness.  

Loving God, we cannot begin to know the extent of your love and faithfulness.  We thank you that you are focused on us and on imperfect people everywhere.  Keep us focused on you always.  Amen  

Joan Perlich

Ministries
Teaching Mission Party