“The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.’” – Exodus 34:6-7
This is one of the most significant moments in the Bible. Moses had begged God to show him His glory. God did so (with necessary safety precautions for Moses) and also proclaimed His name, meaning His fundamental nature. This is the essential nature of God. God’s description of Himself is repeated countless times afterward in the Old Testament, because it is, most fundamentally Who God is. Learn these words! Remember them. Meditate on them. Delight in them, because this is Who you worship.
God is merciful by nature. He doesn’t delight in punishing but in showing us mercy we don’t deserve.
God is gracious by nature. He loves to lavishly give blessings His people don’t deserve.
God is slow to anger. Though we sin and fall short of His glory often, He doesn’t give up on us, doesn’t throw us in the garbage out of frustration for our foolishness. God continues to call us back into His grace and mercy far longer than we could possibly imagine.
God is abounding in steadfast love. He overflows with faithful, loyal love that’s never based on “what have you done for me lately.”
God is faithful. He keeps His word, His promises, and His covenants, even though we don’t.
God is forgiving. When we repent and ask forgiveness, God is always delighted to forgive.
God is just. He will certainly deal with sin justly in His perfect timing and will.
All of these traits intersect at the cross of Jesus Christ. Through the sending, sacrifice, and resurrection of His eternal Son, God demonstrated His perfect mercy, grace, patience, steadfast love, faithfulness, forgiveness, and justice. This is Who God is! If this isn’t how you think of Him, correct your thinking! Then think about Him more, remembering these characteristics and worshiping the Lord! #FollowJesus