A Merciful and Gracious God!
Reading: Exodus 34
My Verse: "The LORD said to Moses, cut two tables of stone like the first, and I will write upon these tables the words that were on the first tables, which you broke" (34:1).
Poignant is the word this verse brings to mind. I am intensely, strongly moved by what You LORD God say here. Moses lost his temper and broke the first set of tablets that You wrote on. But You tell him here that even though he "broke" the stones, You will again "write upon these tables the words that were on the first tables." You mercifully and graciously forgive him. You mercifully and graciously are willing to do the writing again for the rebellious nation of Israel. In doing this You, the Almighty LORD God show Your mercy and grace.
So much to learn from this verse. There was an interlude in Your program. The people messed up terribly. Moses lost his temper. You told Moses that You would not stay with them. Things are not good. There is a lot of tension and anger and remorse.
Yet, here You show how truly loving You are. You could have completely destroyed the Isrealites as You said in 32:10. "Now therefore let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and that I may destroy them. . ." Moses begs You to not do that and so You graciously agreed. "Then the LORD turned from the evil which He had thought to do to His people" (32:14). Then You say You will not accompany them to the promised land. (33:3) Again Moses begs You to not abandon them. And again You mercifully and graciously relent.
Oh, LORD God, here I am made fully aware of Your Mercy. It is an active thing. You are not a far away entity - coldly dealing with us as we deserve. No, You intervene in our lives over and over as we so often mess up! If You did not we would be so lost as were the Israelites!
I like Tozer's definition of mercy and grace in The Knowledge of the Holy. "Mercy is an attribute of God, an infinite and inexhaustible energy within the divine nature which disposes God to be actively compassionate." "Grace is the good pleasure of God that inclines Him to bestow benefits upon the undeserving."
This example of Your loving mercy and grace reminds me of how I too need to be merciful and gracious in my daily walk - in my interactions with those around me. Sometimes this is so hard to do and yet You require that of me.
"The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love" (Psalm 145:8).
"The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy and loving-kindness" (Psalm 103:8).
"Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yes, our God is merciful" (Psalm 116:5).
Thank You, LORD God, for this lesson on Your mercy and grace!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Reading: Exodus 34
My Verse: "The LORD said to Moses, cut two tables of stone like the first, and I will write upon these tables the words that were on the first tables, which you broke" (34:1).
Poignant is the word this verse brings to mind. I am intensely, strongly moved by what You LORD God say here. Moses lost his temper and broke the first set of tablets that You wrote on. But You tell him here that even though he "broke" the stones, You will again "write upon these tables the words that were on the first tables." You mercifully and graciously forgive him. You mercifully and graciously are willing to do the writing again for the rebellious nation of Israel. In doing this You, the Almighty LORD God show Your mercy and grace.
So much to learn from this verse. There was an interlude in Your program. The people messed up terribly. Moses lost his temper. You told Moses that You would not stay with them. Things are not good. There is a lot of tension and anger and remorse.
Yet, here You show how truly loving You are. You could have completely destroyed the Isrealites as You said in 32:10. "Now therefore let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and that I may destroy them. . ." Moses begs You to not do that and so You graciously agreed. "Then the LORD turned from the evil which He had thought to do to His people" (32:14). Then You say You will not accompany them to the promised land. (33:3) Again Moses begs You to not abandon them. And again You mercifully and graciously relent.
Oh, LORD God, here I am made fully aware of Your Mercy. It is an active thing. You are not a far away entity - coldly dealing with us as we deserve. No, You intervene in our lives over and over as we so often mess up! If You did not we would be so lost as were the Israelites!
I like Tozer's definition of mercy and grace in The Knowledge of the Holy. "Mercy is an attribute of God, an infinite and inexhaustible energy within the divine nature which disposes God to be actively compassionate." "Grace is the good pleasure of God that inclines Him to bestow benefits upon the undeserving."
This example of Your loving mercy and grace reminds me of how I too need to be merciful and gracious in my daily walk - in my interactions with those around me. Sometimes this is so hard to do and yet You require that of me.
"The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love" (Psalm 145:8).
"The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy and loving-kindness" (Psalm 103:8).
"Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yes, our God is merciful" (Psalm 116:5).
Thank You, LORD God, for this lesson on Your mercy and grace!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
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