The
Pastor's Desk
A GOD OF STEADFAST LOVE
Dear Partners in Ministry,
The unfaithfulness and sinful nature of the people of Israel has been documented in detail throughout the writings of the Old Testament. Legendary are the narratives of God’s chosen people who on occasion after occasion rebelled against their God. Stories about of a people refusing to obey God, refusing to follow his commands, refusing to be the people God destined them to be.
The rebelliousness that began with Adam and Eve has never ceased to plague humankind to this day. The unfaithfulness and the sinfulness of God’s people remains part of the human condition.
Yet in spite of all such unfaithfulness, God steadfastly refuses to abandon his people. He steadfastly refuses to turn away from his people. He continues over and over again to forgive his people even-though they do not deserve it nor merit it.
I thank my lucky stars that we have a God who the prophet Joel describes as “gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” (Joel 2:13) I also am grateful that God is not like me or most people I know, for if I was in God’s shoes (thank heavens I’m not), I don’t know how loving or forgiving I would be of people who continually disregard God’s rules and commands; people who profess they love God and love his church but chose not to worship Him on a regularly basis;
The unfaithfulness and sinful nature of the people of Israel has been documented in detail throughout the writings of the Old Testament. Legendary are the narratives of God’s chosen people who on occasion after occasion rebelled against their God. Stories about of a people refusing to obey God, refusing to follow his commands, refusing to be the people God destined them to be.
The rebelliousness that began with Adam and Eve has never ceased to plague humankind to this day. The unfaithfulness and the sinfulness of God’s people remains part of the human condition.
Yet in spite of all such unfaithfulness, God steadfastly refuses to abandon his people. He steadfastly refuses to turn away from his people. He continues over and over again to forgive his people even-though they do not deserve it nor merit it.
I thank my lucky stars that we have a God who the prophet Joel describes as “gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” (Joel 2:13) I also am grateful that God is not like me or most people I know, for if I was in God’s shoes (thank heavens I’m not), I don’t know how loving or forgiving I would be of people who continually disregard God’s rules and commands; people who profess they love God and love his church but chose not to worship Him on a regularly basis;
people who withhold their offerings because they dislike the pastor or disagree with leadership decisions; people who share unkind comments about fellow believers; or people who are just plain apathetic about mission and ministry.
Now, even-though I, as part of my sinful nature, get angry and upset at such behavior, God refuses to do so. God practices unbelievable restraint and patience. He resists the temptation to get angry and exact punishment. He chooses, instead, to forgive; he chooses to exhibit unconditional love; he chooses the higher road. He chooses to act like God and not like the people He created.
If you are one of those individuals whose worship attendance has waned or become non-existent, whose financial support has been reduced or ceased, who have made unkind comments or two about others, or who have become apathetic about mission and ministry, give thanks to God that His love for you continues. And it is my sincere wish and desire that knowing what kind of God it is who claims you, knowing that you have a God who loves you unconditionally and exhibits steadfast love, you just might find it in your heart to “return to the Lord your God for He is gracious and merciful and full of steadfast love.” (Joel 2:12).
In the Lord’s Service,
The Rev. Bernard W. Carl,
Pastor
Now, even-though I, as part of my sinful nature, get angry and upset at such behavior, God refuses to do so. God practices unbelievable restraint and patience. He resists the temptation to get angry and exact punishment. He chooses, instead, to forgive; he chooses to exhibit unconditional love; he chooses the higher road. He chooses to act like God and not like the people He created.
If you are one of those individuals whose worship attendance has waned or become non-existent, whose financial support has been reduced or ceased, who have made unkind comments or two about others, or who have become apathetic about mission and ministry, give thanks to God that His love for you continues. And it is my sincere wish and desire that knowing what kind of God it is who claims you, knowing that you have a God who loves you unconditionally and exhibits steadfast love, you just might find it in your heart to “return to the Lord your God for He is gracious and merciful and full of steadfast love.” (Joel 2:12).
In the Lord’s Service,
The Rev. Bernard W. Carl,
Pastor
