Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs
THE LONGSUFFERING GOD
God’s glory is revealed in His longsuffering (Exodus 34:6).
Psalm 86:5: “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.”
In Numbers 14:18 Moses reminds God of His longsuffering when he stands in the gap and makes intercession for the children of Israel who had rebelled against God because of their lack of faith to go in and possess the land. God reveals just how much longsuffering He had toward them, especially when they came out of Egypt. They murmured, grumbled, and complained.
Numbers 14: 11, 27: “How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.”
Verse 22 tells that they tempted God ten times! And thus He says: “Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto the fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it” (v. 23).
This is a sobering passage to all Christians, teaching us not to take our salvation too cheaply. Some think they can tempt God and get away with it, but there comes a time when God says Enough is Enough!
The truth is that we can praise God for His amazing longsuffering towards us all. This is an amazing aspect of the glory of God.
Men, we also should know our heavenly father and show great longsuffering towards those who provoke us and offend us.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
