IMAGES OF GOD # 14

The God of the Bible is the God who calls us to come to him in repentance:

'Return ... to the Lord your God. Your sins have been your downfall! Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to Him: "Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously ... " '

'Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love ... '

'Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord.'

'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.'

Here an incredibly gracious God extends an invitation, a command, an unexpected offer: he invites us sinners, us rebels, to come back, and he promises to those who return to him compassion and forgiveness - a free pardon. He promises to replace the turmoil of our guilt with his rest. All that hinders us responding to this amazing grace is our own stubborn hearts:

'O Jerusalem, Jerusalem ... how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.'

Scriptures: Hosea 14:2; Joel 2:13; Isaiah 55:6-8; Matthew 11:28-29; 23:37.