LONGSUFFERING

Psalm 86:15 (NKJV)

      But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.

Father the Apostle Paul mentions that the first quality of love in 1 Cor.13:4 (NKJV) is “Love suffers long…”  This certainly speaks of your extraordinary and exceptional patience with us. Your longsuffering gives us the opportunity to respond, repent and be restored in our relationship with you.

The thorns piercing your heart portrays the pain our sin causes you as well as the compassion your feel for us. It is a shocking reminder of Gen.6:6 (NIV) “The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain”.  Yet, Father, even in that pain you did not forget your mercy. As the Apostle Peter reminds us ^“…..the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; II Peter 3:15 (NKJV)

So Father, on this week-end when we celebrate romantic love, we also want to be mindful of your redeeming love, so unconditional, uncompromising and unlimited in its longsuffering. Thank you Father that you are: “…longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” II Peter 3:9 (NKJV)

Amen

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