Nothing puts the Lord’s strength on greater display than forgiveness.
And was forgiveness ever needed! The children of Israel had sent representatives to explore the Promised Land. They found it just as God had promised — flowing with milk and honey. But they also became terrified of the people who already occupied the land.
Twelve men went up on the reconnaissance mission. Only two of those — Joshua and Caleb — came back confident that the Lord would lead them to victory. The remaining ten caved in to their fears. Worse, they then incited the Israelites to do the same.
That fear ran rampant throughout the entire community. First, the Israelites cried out to return to Egypt. They accused God of wanting them dead, then of wanting their wives and children to be taken as plunder. They threatened to rebel and go back to Egypt under new leadership.
Moses and Aaron did what only Christ-like leaders would consider doing. They interceded and tried to reason first with the people. Then when the people really stepped across the line, threatening to kill Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb, God finally got ticked off.
Really ticked off.
So Moses was placed in the role of interceding with God, because God was preparing to destroy the Israelites. And that’s when Moses reminded the Lord of his true strength:
“Now may the Lord’s strength be displayed, just as you have declared: ‘The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.’ In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now” (Numbers 14:17-19, NIV).
Now, centuries later, you and I are the beneficiaries of the Lord’s true strength — the strength of forgiveness. All because Jesus displayed his strength in going to the cross for us. All because our Savior, God’s Son, was willing to intercede with our Heavenly Father for us.
Our Bible reading for Sunday, March 22, is Numbers 13:26 – 14:45, Luke 4:14-37 and Psalm 36:1-12.
Lord, display your true strength. I need your grace and forgiveness so much. Forgive me for my sins.
Header image based on "Bicep Curls" by 2014uknz, CC By 2.0
pastorjeffgunn 
Our Bible reading for Sunday, March 22, is Numbers 13:26 – 14:45, Luke 4:14-37 and Psalm 36:1-12.
I have a message from God in my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before their eyes. (Psalm 36:1 NIV)
He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:21 NIV)
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19 NIV)
Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals. How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. (Psalm 36:5-7 NIV)
Heavenly Father, tell me all I need to hear. Share your word with me, so I can become a better man. My sins are not okay in your eye, I am failed and flawed. Only a God who is true in love, filled with grace would have a solution to my sinful heart. I am the poor, blind, and the oppressed. I need Jesus and I thank you so much for a savior who sets me free. Lord your love is great indeed. Help share that love with all who need it. Help to share word with wings of an eagle. Help me to love others as you love me.
~Paul Montenieri
LikeLike