“Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But that is not what God desires; rather, he devises ways so that a banished person does not remain banished from him.” 2 Samuel 14:14 NIV
These words were spoken to David in an attempt to make him realize he needed to bring back his son Absolom, whom he was angry with because he had murdered his brother Amnon for raping his sister Tamar. The rationale, however, is sound! God, as Peter teaches is patient with each one of us. “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” Peter 3:9 NASB
It is never God’s intention to banish you from His sight, no matter what you’ve done. He waits paitiently for you to come back to Him, to make it right and to enjoy His presense. Pehaps you feel far from Him today. If so, please know He loves you and is devising ways so to draw you back to Him.
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! People of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:18-21
Yes, God is righteous and He requires that we live according to His ways, which, by the way are always designed with our best interest at heart, but He desires is to show us mercy, not judgement. He devises ways to bring us back to Him when we are not living according to His word. He takes no pleasure in punishing us or condemning us but goes out of His way to redeem us.
Jesus layed down His life so that we would not be banished from the Father. If He watched His son die just so He could redeem you, do you really think He takes pleasure in punishing you now? Doesn’t it make more sense that it breaks His heart when you are struggling in the pain and despair that accompanies sin?
“In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years.” Isaiah 63:9 NLT
God understands your struggle. He knows what you are going through, and He feels your pain.
“For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love. For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.” Lamentations 3:31-33 NLT
Don’t buy Satan’s lie and believe that you have gone too far; that no matter what you do, you’ll never be able to please God or be in His good graces. If that’s what you are tempted to believe today, reread the verses above and look for God’s intential hand, drawing you back to Him. His love for you was strong enough to take Him to the cross!