I’m writing out the book of Nehemiah right now. It has been an interesting study. Nehemiah is leading a group of men to rebuild the walls of their beloved city of Jerusalem. These are men that were in captivity and the leader of Babylon allowed Nehemiah to lead a group back to Jerusalem to fix it up.
In the midst of these repairs, the people took time to remember their history. The Levites (priests) had all the people gather and recounted the history of their ancestors. How they were enslaved in Egypt and how God brought them out. They talked about how God supplied manna from heaven and helped them defeat their foes. How they were given this promise land by God.
The Levites then reminded the people that when their ancestors had all their needs provided, what did they do? They became proud, hardened themselves towards God and would not obey His commandments. Every need was supplied. They were getting ready to go into their promised land and they “hardened their necks.”
How many times are we like this? Life is going so great that we forget to seek God. We end up doing our own thing and setting our own path without relying on God.
How does God handle us? Well, this is what Nehemiah 9:17 says about how He handled the children of Israel when they rebelled and went on their own path.
“…but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.”
I was struck with the power of this verse. God set such a good example to us for how we treat others who have rebelled (maybe our children), and gone their own way (maybe a friend you gave advice to). He loved His people. He loves us. So what happens when we fail Him? He loves us.
He is ready to pardon.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9) He will forgive (confession is needed) and cleanse us! We just need to ask!
He is gracious and merciful (slow to anger)
We do not deserve these two wonderful attributes but God is always ready to give them! I’m so glad Psalm 103:8 is in the Bible. “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.” When I fail an Almighty God, He is merciful. God will show me grace and He will be slow to anger. How many times as a human do I fail the people around me in this aspect?
He shows great kindness
How did He first show me kindness? God sent His Son to die on the cross for my sins so I do not have to spend an eternity in hell. God showed the ultimate example to us of kindness. Are we showing His kindness to others? “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)
He does not leave us
This is an amazing thought. No matter what trial you are facing today; or what joy you are reveling in, God will not leave you. God is with us (Christians) day in and day out. He knows the path we are on and He knows the next step we will take before we even take it! Just like Moses reminded the Israelites in Deuteronomy of this promise, God reiterated it in Hebrews for us today. “
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Look at His promise here. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5) God is with us. He hasn’t left us. Have we stepped away from Him? We can return.
This one verse spoke volumes to me today. God was dealing with a stubborn set of humans in the Old Testament. He is still dealing with stubborn humans today and yet look at the attributes He exhibits. How can I do less with those around me, with the people I love and the people I come in contact with in my life.