Date: 02-24-2020

Title: Forgiveness and Consequences

(S) cripture:
    Numbers 14:17-22 (NASB77) “But now, I pray, let the power of the Lord be great, just as Thou hast declared, 18 ‘ The LORD is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generations.’ 19 ” Pardon, I pray, the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of Thy lovingkindness, just as Thou also hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.” 20 So the LORD said, ” I have pardoned them according to your word; 21 but indeed, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the LORD. 22 “Surely all the men who have seen My glory and My signs, which I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have put Me to the test these ten times and have not listened to My voice,

(O) bservation:
    The Lord has just told Moses how he is going to punish the people because of their sin. The scripture I chose is Moses plea to God and God’s response. Moses repeats God’s words back to Him describing his character and actions toward the people. He also remembers that the Lord does not let the guilty go unpunished. God responds by forgiving the people but there are consequences for their sin. Here we see just how seriously God takes sin and the consequences of it. God forgives the guilt and ultimate penalty for sin but not necessarily the consequences of the sin.

(A) pplication:
    I am comforted by the knowledge that, “‘The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion.” I must be warned that forgiveness does not remove the consequences or punishment for my behavior. God’s forgiveness through Christ is complete and total when I receive Christ as Savior/Lord. I experience this forgiveness fresh every time I confess my sin. Even though forgiveness is experienced fresh the consequences need to be addressed. There may be punishment to endure or restitution to be made or apologies to be given. Today I will trust in the God who forgives and will not balk or complain about the punishment I brought on to myself.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, help me to patiently and graciously endure the consequences of my sin. Let me experience your forgiveness and continue to live in your grace. Let me share your love with others. Let me be an example of what it means to live out your faith in a world that calls for compromise. Amen