The Patience of God

Preparing to preach at MKCC this past Sunday God broke into my studies and challenged me to my core with this piece of Scripture.

What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory – Romans 9 v 22 – 23

I had little option to sink to my knees and give glory to a God that continues to take me surprise as a tear rolled down my cheek.

The picture of the almighty God wanting to show how angry he is about sin and to use his limitless power against it and us as "vessels of wrath" yet he waits. He endures with the patience that only he has so that he could display to us his unbelievable Glory to change us into "Vessels of Mercy".

If anyone had the right to show his anger, to show his power then it is God. Instead he shows His love in Jesus.

Makes me embarrassed to think of the times where I have acted because "I was right" and "I just couldn't keep quiet any more".

Lord help me to stop listening to my wicked heart and to continually look to you for a Divine perspective.