Who is God to you?
It seems like such a simple question, but your answer has deep implications.
Is God far off, unreachable and without compassionate?
Is God loving – but only with strict rules and harsh restrictions?
Is God judgmental, disappointed by and condemning of your choices?
Is God absent, never there for you and unaware of your circumstances?
Is God unfeeling, ignoring your pain and unseeing of your tears?
Or is God a true Father, One who cares and comforts … no matter what?
To me, God is the true father.
Always available.
Always compassionate.
Always forgiving.
Always waiting.
For me.
No matter what.
Because I choose to believe He is just as He is repeatedly described:
2 Chronicles 30:9 – … for the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn His face from you if you return to Him.”
Nehemiah 9:17 – … But You are God, Ready to pardon, Gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, Abundant in kindness, And did not forsake them.
Nehemiah 9:31 – … For You are God, gracious and merciful.
Psalm 103:8 – The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
Psalm 111:4 – … The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
Psalm 112:4 – … He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
Psalm 116:5 – Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; Yes, our God is merciful.
Psalm 145:8 – The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy.
Joel 2:13 – For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.
Jonah 4:2 – … You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm.
I believe in a God of unlimited compassion and mercy.
I believe in a God of unwavering goodness and patience.
I believe in a God of unashamed grace and love.
Just as all these verses describe.
How about you? What do you believe?
Marie Fremin, 7/30/17
Marie's Hope 