“The Lord is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression…” (Numbers 14:18)
There is no attribute of God more tender to the trembling soul than His grace. He is infinite in power, terrible in majesty, holy beyond all understanding… yet He is gracious and slow to anger. He abounds in steadfast love. He forgives iniquity, transgression, and sin. His covenant is not like the wavering affections of men, but an eternal pledge sealed in His own faithful heart.
The foundation of our hope, therefore, rests in His promises. His covenant of grace is built upon His oath, not ours. His love flows to us not because we are lovable but because He is love. He pities our depravity and helplessness and stoops to lift us up because of His grace and mercy which is active, sovereign, abundant, and eternal.
When our soul is burdened with guilt, He welcomes us with open arms to freely pardon and restore. William Spurstowe wrote that He “more willingly scatters His pardons than executes His justice”—like a bee that delights to gather, not to sting. This is the God who invites the weary. This is the God who embraces the broken. This is the God of all grace.
In the storms of life, His unchanging promises are our shelter. In danger, they are our refuge. His presence, guaranteed by His Word, surrounds us like an unbreakable wall. When we pass through waters, He is with us. When we walk through fire, He preserves us. He does not always remove the trials—but He promises to always remain in them with us.
And when we are weak, when sin rises and discouragement swells, He meets us with patience. He tends to our wounds. He supports us in love. He nurtures us back to a place of strength, causing us to flourish with spiritual fruit made beautiful by His Spirit.
The widow’s flour did not run out and her oil did not fail because God was her supply (1 Kings 17). “God himself will give both a supply of strength and a happy issue.”[1] For His grace does not decay. His mercy is not exhausted. Every promise stands. Every word holds. Every comfort is certain. And all of it is ours in Christ.
Contemplations:
- The promises that hold me. Lord, I confess that in moments of fear and danger, I tend to forget what You have said. I act as though I were alone. But You have promised to be with me in deep waters, to stand beside me in the flame. I am not consumed because You uphold me. Keep me inside the arms of Your grace. Make Your promises more real to me than my fears.
- The companionship of grace. I know You do not promise to remove every sorrow, but You do promise never to leave me. That truth brings me peace when I’m afflicted. You order my trials with perfect wisdom, and You fill them with Your presence. Nothing can separate me from Your love. Let that truth anchor me. Let it lift my head when I am bowed with grief, knowing You’re with me in the storm.
- Provision in unlikely places. I often wonder how I’ll endure the trials ahead. But Your Word reminds me that You provide in hidden, powerful ways just like You caused the widow’s flour and oil to last through the famine. Help me trust what You have said. I want to live with settled contentment because I rest in You.
- The treasure of Your grace. When I consider Your mercy, I am undone. You delight to forgive. You overflow with compassion. I cannot exhaust Your patience. I am never outside the reach of Your kindness. These truths are more glorious than anything I know. Teach me to adore You for such grace and let Your steadfast love be my daily song.
Prayer (adoration):
O God of all grace, I bow before You in awe and affection for You are the Lord, full of mercy and truth, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. You forgive iniquity. You graciously pardon transgression.
And You do not forgive reluctantly. You do not offer mercy with reserve. You lavish Your pardon with joy. You delight in healing the wounded soul. You are patient with our weakness, tender with our sorrow, and faithful to Your covenant. I adore You for such grace. I adore You because You do not change nor grow tired. And You do not forget me, though I forget You far too often.
Your promises are my refuge. You do not promise ease, but You promise Yourself. You walk with me in the fire. You uphold me in the flood. You are my comfort, my strength, and my unshakable hope. When I cannot stand, You carry me. When I mourn, You weep with me. When I sin, You forgive. You do not grow weary in doing good to me.
You make provision where there seems to be none. You feed the soul in famine. You supply the oil of joy in mourning. You uphold the bruised reed and fan the smallest ember into flame. All this You do because You are gracious.
You see my frailty and do not turn away. You know my limitations and do not scorn me. You pity me. You cover me. You strengthen me. And You do so again and again and again. I adore You for such unsearchable patience. I praise You for love that never ceases.
Teach me, Lord, to rest in Your grace. Let me live in the light of Your mercy. Let me speak often of Your compassion. Let my life show the beauty of being upheld by a faithful God. Let me adore You with trust, with joy, and with praise that flows from a grateful heart.
You are the God of all grace, and I love You.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further references for Numbers 14:18:
Exod. 20:5, 34:6–7; Jonah 4:2; Exod. 20:6; Ps. 103:8, 145:8.
[1] William Ames, Conscience with the Power and Cases Thereof Divided into V. Books. (Leyden and London: Imprinted W. Christiaens, E. Griffin, J. Dawson, 1639), 75.
