«The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy» (Psalm 103:8).
RECENTLY, I WOKE UP AT 4:00 AM and was unable to go back to sleep. While trying to fall asleep, my thoughts turned to an article by Mylan Schurch that I had read the previous night about how immensely big God’s love is.
In his article, Schurch illustrates the depth of that love through the experience of the most perverse king the Scriptures ever mention: Manasseh. This son of good Hezekiah reigned over Judah for 55 years, and «rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed» (2 Kings 21:3); «and he worshiped all the host of heaven and served them» (v. 3), and «he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord» (v. 5). As if that was not enough, he «practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft, and consulted spiritists and mediums», and he sacrificed his own sons by making them pass through the fire! (v. 6; cf. 2 Chronicles 33:6).
Then the unthinkable happens. When the Assyrians took him captive, the Scriptures say Manasseh «humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers» (2 Chronicles 33:12). «And prayed to Him; and He received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God» (v. 13). Simply unbelievable! But that is how big Gods mercy is, as today’s verse mentions, «The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. W
Isn’t that great news? The Lord does not repay us according to our iniquities if, like Manasseh, we seek Him with all our hearts.
So, how big is God’s love? It is «as great as the height of the heavens above the earth» (Psalm 103:11, NLT); and His mercy is «from everlasting to everlasting . with those who fear Him» (v. 17, NIV). In other words, His love is unlimited!
And now we have to ask ourselves: if God forgave Manasseh’s wickedness, could it be that, in His mercy, He will forgive your sins, no matter how numerous they are? Will He forgive mine? He will, as long as we humble ourselves in the presence of God like Judah’s wicked king did and claim His forgiveness with repentance. He will forgive us out of love for His Son, and because of the precious blood that was shed on the cross!
I praise You, Holy Father, because Your love has no limits.
At this time I take shelter under the shadow of Your mercy and, in the name of Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, I ask for forgiveness.
#AdultsDevotional
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Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2022
“GREAT IS OUR GOD!”
From: FERNANDO ZABALA
Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate
