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Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.

What is God like? You could potentially hear a different answer to that question for every person asked. One person may think that God is distant and aloof—barely taking notice of what is happening to us here on earth. Another may feel that God is mean or angry for threatening judgment on those who disobey. Still another may view God as unloving or cruel because he doesn’t appear to help us when we need it.

Truthfully, God could and should have been all those things and more. Because of our sinfulness, God had every right to be angry. Because we at times pay so little attention to him, he had every reason to be distant from us. Because we accuse him of being unloving, he had all the motive he needed to withhold his love from us.

All these descriptors of God would seem to make sense to human understanding. Surprisingly, though, the Bible tells us that what God is like is so completely different from what we expected or deserved. The Bible says, “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.” This verse tells us what God is like. He is forgiving and merciful. He does not stay angry with us but, in love, reaches out to save us. For proof of this love, you need look no further than the cross. Rather than make us pay for our sins or turn his back on us, God sent Jesus to be our Savior. To suffer and die on the cross to pay for all our sins and to give us the gift of eternal life in heaven. Rather than punish us, God invites us to believe in Jesus and to be saved.

Contrary to what many believe, God is defined by his pardoning and forgiving grace. God sent Jesus and proved everyone wrong. Our God is different!

Dear Father in heaven, thank you for doing the unexpected and sending Jesus to die for my sins. Lead me to trust in him today and every day. Amen.

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.