And He (The Lord), passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.” Exodus 34:6-7a

God.  What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear that word? Judge?  Spiritual force? Whatever your response, you may be surprised at the way that God described Himself in the Bible.  God appeared to a man named Moses and represented Himself with a description that may not match the one in your head.

Here’s the story:  Moses had gone up on a mountain to hear from God.  It was the second time God had given the people His 10 Commandments for right living—after they’d all turned away from God. The Bible says that God came down and stood with Moses.  Before He gave his laws, He described himself, not as a giver of laws but as, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin” (Exodus 34:6-7a).

Compassionate?  Gracious?  Slow to anger?  Sadly, man’s attempt to represent God through religion, has not communicated God’s true nature, the why behind God’s dealings with man. Have you misunderstood who God is?  He longs for you to know Him, His love for you and experience transformation in your life. Our brokenness keeps us separated from His holiness, but Jesus made God’s forgiveness from wickedness, rebellion and sin freely available by being willing to be your substitute.

The love of the compassionate and gracious God of the Bible is greater than your brokenness. This is what He holds out to you today.

 

Resource reading: Exodus 34:1-7