Redirecting My Focus

They refused to obey, and they were not mindful of Your wonders that You did among them. But they hardened their necks, and in their rebellion they appointed a leader to return to their bondage. But You are God, ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abundant in kindness, and did not forsake them. Nehemiah 9:17 (New King James Version)

I love the fact that this list of God’s character does not follow a pronouncement of good behavior. It does not read, “When they obeyed, were mindful of Your wonders, cooperated with You, and stayed free of bondage, God was gracious and merciful, etc…” Rather, it lists the truth about their sinful hearts and actions. In their worst moments, God was ready to pardon. In their continual cycling into bondage, God was gracious and merciful. In their rebellion, God was slow to anger. In their stubbornness, God was abundant in kindness. In their forsaking of Him, God did not forsake them. Even at their worst, God remained at His best and continually reached out to them.

I am like the children of Israel in so many ways. As recent as yesterday, I turned (if just briefly) to that which could easily put me into bondage. The sense of what I did filled me with regret and remorse. My choice quickly turned to one of confession and wanting to distance myself from that which I had no business being near. God was gracious. God was forgiving. That is what helped me walk with a sense of cleansing and a fresh determination to remain free rather than guilt and shame.

Seeing God’s graciousness and love in the midst of my sinful choices and actions makes a huge difference. Those are the times I need the reminders the most. Those are the times when seeing the truth about Him has me in awe and wonder the most. For most of my Christian life, however, that has not been my practice. I spent more time beating myself up for the past rather than rejoicing in the character of God. I focused on my sin rather than on His forgiveness. On my mistakes rather than His mercy. On my stubbornness rather than His kindness. On my straying rather than on His staying. No wonder I was prone to live with a sense of condemnation rather than the truth of being loved, accepted, and forgiven.

When I have made wrong choices, when I have failed Him, when I have fallen, God is not wanting me to follow it with a season of guilt and shame. He is wanting me to bring it all to Him and then live with a fresh awareness of who He is rather than a stinging reminder of what I’ve done. He is a God who is always ready to pardon, always gracious and merciful, always slow to anger, always abundant in kindness, and always with me! Always!

Father, the list of Your attributes are astounding and reassuring for me. You outshine and outlast the worst of me. In that I rejoice! Amen.

East to West - Casting Crowns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyoVJfADlwo

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.