“But our ancestors were proud and stubborn, and they paid no attention to your commands. They refused to obey and did not remember the miracles you had done for them. Instead, they became stubborn and appointed a leader to take them back to their slavery in Egypt! But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. You did not abandon them…” – Nehemiah 9:16-17 NLT
Loving parents are always there to help their children and take no delight in punishing them even when it is deserved and necessary to set them straight. Have you ever been around a child that constantly whines, pouts and throws temper tantrums? If you are like me, you wanted to snatch them up and give them ‘the right hand of fellowship’ on the spot for displaying such unnecessary, disruptive behavior. From young to old it seems that our society is riddled with a toxic spirit of entitlement. It’s pitiful to see grown folks whining, complaining, and throwing temper tantrums because they think they deserve more or should be treated better. Yes, even saints walk around disappointed with family members, neighbors, church folks, the bank teller, the waitress, the store clerk, their boss, and the parking lot attendant. At the end of the day, the ultimate disappointment iswith God because He hasn’t given you everything you want.
In the ninth chapter of Nehemiah the people confess that their ancestors had acted proudly, did not obey God’s commands and did not remember the good He had done. Imagine how offensive this was to God! Nevertheless, God was gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in kindness. He did not forsake them despite their sins. He punished them and demanded repentance, but He did notdestroy them as He had the right to do. The Israelites were stiff-necked, obstinate and disobedient to God, yet He continually had patience and extended grace according to His abundant mercies. At every turn God provided for their needs, defeated their enemies, and was faithful to the covenant – and they turned their backs and rebelled. Take a good look in the mirror and be honest with yourself – do you possess a spirit of rebellion, entitlement and ingratitude? Do you whine and pout and sing the ‘woe is me’ song? Or are you deeply grateful for God’s daily blessings and His gift of salvation?
The Bible tells us that “God is the same yesterday, today and forever”(Hebrews 13:8). The same grace and mercy that He extended over and over again to the Israelites is extended to us today. Every day we wake up God invites us to bury the past and make a new beginning. It is truly a blessing to know that the same God who delivered the Israelites yesterday will deliver you today and your children tomorrow. God’s love, power, grace, mercy, forgiveness and almighty presence are never-ending. What an awe-inspiring and reassuring fact!
Even as our lives change, jobs lay off, and friendships blossom and fade, God is steadfastly loving us and watching over us. He is a doting father who desires to bless His children but let us not forget that it is also a father’s job to provide proper discipline when we get out of line. “For whom the Lord loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights” (Proverbs 3:12). Thankfulness for His unmerited grace and mercy should separate us from whiny, ungrateful family, friends, co-workers, and this world we live in. Don’t drown in self-pity, float on a sea of gratitude for what God has done, is doing and will do according to His abundant grace and mercy towards us.The next time someone asks you, “How are you doing?” respond by saying, “Better than I deserve.”
Merciful God, You alone are worthy to be praised for the abundant grace and mercy that You extend to me in spite of me. We are thankful that You are a doting father who watches over His children dispensing both love and discipline for our good. We will not whine and pout or forget all that You have done for us. You have brought us through dangers seen and unseen. You stayed the hand of the enemy from destroying us and our family – even when we were still in the wilderness – and we are extremely grateful. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
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