We need God to be righteous, all-powerful, all-wise, and those other lofty theological truths, but is there one thing above all else we need from God?
"The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love." Psalm 103:8. NIV.
Being slow to anger does not mean he never gets angry- He does. We should not presume on the slowness of God's anger, for His wrath is great indeed. His slowness is to allow us to turn to him.
We need the God of Love. If you do not have a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus, who died for our sins and rose again in triumph, then you can't appreciate or possess this God; but only a fearful prospect that you might have worn out his patience and may receive his anger. Only those who have received salvation by faith in Jesus and what he did for us can truly appreciate God's, wonderful love.
"The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love." Psalm 103:8. NIV.
COMPASSION
Compassion is merciful, tender, understanding, and sympathetic. Compassion takes the other person's situation to heart, and with consideration, purposefully cares and intentionally acts on the other's behalf.GRACIOUS
Grace brings compassion into action. To say that the Lord is "gracious" is to say God acts out His love in kindness and good to someone who does not deserve it.SLOW TO ANGER
We would be in trouble if God had a short temper. Our sins all add up to a dreadful stench before His Holy nature. If God was only righteousness, He would have condemned us long ago, but thankfully He is "slow to anger."Being slow to anger does not mean he never gets angry- He does. We should not presume on the slowness of God's anger, for His wrath is great indeed. His slowness is to allow us to turn to him.
ABOUNDING IN LOVE
The Lord's love is beyond measure and too vast to comprehend. His love is like an ocean that would flood over the highest mountains. His love is bigger than any problem you may have, and his love is bigger than any sin we may have done.FAR FROM LOVE
We sometimes feel far from that God of compassion. He has never left us, but we may have distanced ourselves from him by rebellion, sin, apathy, or we let other things crowd out our relationship with Him. We must remember God, pray, repent, and return to God who has abounding Love.We need the God of Love. If you do not have a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus, who died for our sins and rose again in triumph, then you can't appreciate or possess this God; but only a fearful prospect that you might have worn out his patience and may receive his anger. Only those who have received salvation by faith in Jesus and what he did for us can truly appreciate God's, wonderful love.
(c) Adron 7/7/13
