God is so kind, compassionate and merciful that he calls you to come to him. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are his ways above our ways and his thoughts above our thoughts. He is ‘full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy’ (Psalm 86:15). The Bible therefore appeals to you to ‘Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness; and he relents from doing harm’ (Joel 2:13). What greater encouragement do you need? If there were no hope of mercy, then I could understand you holding back. But there has never been any earthly ruler as kind and patient as the Lord. In wonder and adoration, Micah declared, ‘Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity?’ (Micah 7:18). This is the God you have to deal with! He delights in mercy. If you will simply turn to him, he will have compassion on you; he will subdue your iniquities and cast all your sins into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19). “’Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts’ (Malachi 3:7). While it is all too easy to overlook God’s justice or to presume on God’s mercy apart from Christ, you can never overestimate his kindness and love. God’s mercy exceeds our imagination. The Bible describes God’s mercies as great, manifold, tender, sure and everlasting. And they are all yours, if you will only turn to him. Are you willing to come? A throne of grace awaits you; the king himself invites you. He is the God who keeps ‘mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin’ (Exodus 34:7). Reflecting on the Lord’s dealings with his people, one of Israel’s greatest leaders worshipped him and said, ‘But you are God, ready to pardon, gracious and merciful slow to anger, abundant in kindness’ (Nehemiah 9:17).

God’s invitation to you is earnest, loving and persistent. “’Return … ,“ says the Lord, “And I will not cause my anger to fall on you; for I am merciful,” says the Lord, “And I will not remain angry forever. Only acknowledge your iniquity, that you have transgressed against the Lord you God’” (Jeremiah 3:12-13).

These are not man’s words, but God’s words – the holy and righteous God who has been offended, insulted and blasphemed. Yet, in his infinite mercy he has not given up on you. He seeks you and pleads for you. Doesn’t it move you and break your heart?

The Lord has stooped as low as he possibly can without staining the glory of his holiness. None of us could ever have atoned for our own sins and it is beyond our power to fully obey God’s law. But God does not make unreasonable or impossible demands upon us. He has sent his own dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to live and die in our place. All we are required to do is believe in him – the atoning Saviour and our perfect Righteousness.

Joseph Alleine  Wake Up & Live

(London, England: Grace Publication Trust, 1998), pg 102-104

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