GOD IS GOOD, FORGIVING, LOVING AND PATIENT
GOD IS GOOD, FORGIVING, LOVING AND PATIENT
For you, O Lord, is good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. —Psalm 86:5-6
But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious; slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. —Psalm 86:15
There is none good but God alone (Mark 10:18).
“There is no one righteous, not even one. There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The venom of vipers is on their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery lie in their wake, and the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes.” —Romans 3:10-18
This is God’s summary of the human race— “there is no one who does good, not even one.” Only God is good and fortunately for us who are not good is that He is also “forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon” Him— “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). He answers those who call on Him in sincerity— “Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:14). Yes, fortunately for us that God is merciful and gracious. He does not give the sinful, rebellious ones that we are the judgment we deserve when we call to Him to saves us from our sin. No, instead He extends His favor to all those who call on Him.
We are also fortunate that He is patient with us. Think of how this human race through the centuries have rebelled against Him, blasphemed Him, railed against Him and wanted nothing to do with Him. This is the very Creator of us and all things. Who in their right mind would treat Him this way? The human race does this because the enemy, Satan, has blinded them (II Corinthians 4:4) and they need to “come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to his will” (II Timothy 2:26). But still… “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9). Jesus has not returned yet because He desires many more to respond to Him for salvation that they might be with Him forever. What patience! What love! What mercy! What Grace! Do not ignore Him and encourage others not to ignore Him. Time is running out and we will all appear before Him. We better be ready! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYZw0dfLmLk&t=14s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo9ZWX1lEKI
Dear Father I am so grateful knowing that when there is nothing good in me You saved me from my sin. I am so thankful for Your love, mercy and grace toward me. Now may I faithfully live according to Your desires in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son, Jesus. So be it!