God's Grace

i was reading in Judges....basically the whole book is the Israelites turning from God, facing God's judgment, repenting, and turning back to God, then again, turning away - like over and over again! a little redundant, but God is so patient. praise Him for that! this is one of those times the Israelites plead with God to have mercy on them:

"And the children of Israel said to the Lord, 'We have sinned! Do to us whatever seems best to You; only deliver us this day, we pray.' So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the Lord. And His [God's] soul could no longer endure the misery of Israel." Judges 10:15-16

wow! how often have i prayed that prayer? 'God, just save me NOW in my time of need and i'll do whatever you ask me to do, just save me NOW from this mess i have got myself into.' i want. i plead for my own way. maybe i put conditions on the salvation of the Lord - He can do whatever He thinks is best, only.......[fill in the blank]. i have my eyes on myself - looking out for my own interests. i want comfort and flinch at God's discipline in my life.

and yet, so many, many times God has looked on me with compassion b/c i am His child and pulled me out of the "pit," saved me from my own silly mistakes, given me grace when i deserved something else...

i don't want to shun the Lord's discipline in my life, but i recall this to mind: our God is full of compassion and patience, slow to anger and abounding in loving-kindness! He is attentive to the cry of His people. i don't want to take that for granted. ever.

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