7 Minute Read + Scripture readings
Today’s Bible Reading:
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
“The LORD passed in front of him and proclaimed: The LORD—the LORD is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth, maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But he will not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the fathers’ iniquity on the children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation.”
Exodus 34:6-7 (CSB)
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
In our verses for today, the Lord described Himself. Moses asked to experience the Lord’s essence (glory) and God granted the request.
But, God didn’t pass by Moses silently. As the Lord’s incomprehensible, intoxicating presence passed in front of Moses, the Lord said some things.
Just go back and read Exodus 34:6-7. While God is infinitely holy and despises sin, and while Moses was a sinner just as the rest of the Israelite nation was, God didn’t start by pronouncing His holiness. He started by saying:
“The LORD—the LORD is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth, maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin.”
- Aren’t you glad that God cares deeply for us?
- Are you glad that God is gracious and gives us blessings that we don’t deserve?
- Are you glad that God doesn’t get furious at us as soon as we step into the way of sin?
- Aren’t you glad that He loves us to the point of being willing to sacrifice Himself for us?
- Aren’t you glad that He is abounding in truth which means that His love for us is knowledgable – He knows all of the bad things we’ve done and loves us anyway?
- Aren’t you glad that He delights to pour out His love on the generations that follow a man or woman that genuinely loves and obeys Him?
- Aren’t you glad that He quickly, willingly, and completely forgives us of our sins when we cry out for mercy?
Our God is amazing!!!
Sure, the last part of our verses for today tell us that “he will not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the fathers’ iniquity on the children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation.”
But, it seems to me that those verses are simply saying that God, who loves us, despises what would harm us and rob Him of glory. So, if we refuse to repent, He moves to discipline us. That’s what good parents do. They love us enough to cause controlled pain in the moment so that we don’t have out-of-control pain (or death) later. But, the warning is that if we persist in sin, it may create patterns in our family tree that will adversely affect our descendants to the third and fourth generation.
Friend, God wants what is best for us. That’s why He gave us the Bible, His Son, His Holy Spirit, and so much more!
So, enjoy your God today! Enjoy the God as revealed in the Scriptures. Realize that He loves you, He wants to graciously bless you, He wants to forgive you, and this is just the beginning of the list. While life won’t necessarily be easy, you will have God on your side when you pursue holiness and side with Him. And, when it’s all over, Heaven is waiting on you.
Amazing!!!
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Lord Jesus, I praise You for paying my sin debt and bringing me into relationship with the Trinity. I would be helpless and without hope if You had determined to simply send me to Hell forever but You didn’t do that. You graciously, compassionately forgave my sin when I placed my trust in You. If nothing “good” happened for the remainder of my time on earth, I will have eternity to praise You for what You have already done for me. Thank You! Amen.
Matt’s Musings 