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Be thankful for God’s patience

Exodus 34:6 Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

For over one hundred years three kings ruled the Israelites Saul, David and Solomon. When Solomon died, his son, Rehoboam, became king. Immediately, he started a national rebellion because je promised to increase the Israelite’s pain. His peers told him, “This is what you should tell those complainers… “If you think (my father) was hard on you, just wait and see what I’ll be like!” (1 Kings 12:10) When the Israelites heard those words, ten of the twelve kingdoms revolted and formed a new nation. The new nation became the Northern Kingdom, called Israel. King Rehoboam maintained control of the southern nation, which was called Judah.

The Northern Kingdom had a new king named Jeroboam. He was worse than Rehoboam because he tried to replace God with two golden calves.

You should take hope when you see how God patiently cared for the Israelites even after they continually messed up. He sent prophets to instruct them and warn them, when they disobeyed and backslid, because He cared.

Pray a prayer of thanksgiving today, thanking God for His patience with you. jk

Additional Verses for Study: Psalm 86:15; 103:8; Isaiah 30:18; Jeremiah 25:3-7; 29:11; Nahum 1:3; Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:15, 2 Peter 3:15