RE Verse reading–Amos 1-2 (day four) “For three sins of Damascus, even for four, I will not turn back my wrath” (vs 3) One of the expressions of God’s mercy is His patience with us. He does not act in response to our first sin. Not the second or third. He waits. The specific numbers may change but the attribute doesn’t. Ultimately, out of holiness and love (for others if not for us), He reaches a point where He must act. “The man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed without remedy” (Proverbs 29:1) Our comfort? He reaches this point slowly. “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger” (Exodus 34:6) From this truth we learn two things. 1) Whenever He does discipline us, we MORE than deserve it. 2) While He waits we have an opportunity to repent. God’s mercy is real. His patience is proof. May we be fast to repent because He is slow to anger.
