"But He [the Lord], being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and did not destroy them. Yes, many a time He turned His anger away, and did not stir up all His wrath . . . "
This (above) is an apt description of the true God. Most sinners view the Lord as harsh, demanding, easily-perturbed, and as a general "kill-joy." But, in reality, He is gracious, merciful, forgiving, kind, generous, and slow to anger.
How can God be that way--especially as He is constantly provoked to wrath by sinful and selfish creatures? One, because that is His nature; and two, because He has provided perfect atonement in Jesus' blood, that fully satisfies Him. Those whom God saves by grace through faith in Christ He loves; and to them He shows continual mercy.
[Puritan quote of the day: "It is the end [or goal] of our living, to be useful in our generation. Better lose our lives than the end of our liv-
ing." --Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]
