Have You Used Up God's Forgiveness?

So the Israelites cried to the LORD...And the LORD said..."You have abandoned me and worshiped other gods;therefore I will deliver you no more." (Judges 10:10, 13)

Sounds a little harsh, doesn't it? Isn't God gracious, forgiving, abounding in love, and wanting us to turn to him?

Yes, He is.

But step back for a minute and listen to the whole story.

The Book of Judges is a tail of ups and downs between God and God's people.

God blesses.

The people disobey.

God removes the blessing.

The people cry out to God.

God hears and blesses.

They disobey again.

God removes the blessing.

The people cry out to God.

God sends a prophet to warn them.

Then God hears their cry and blesses them.

As of chapter 10, God has had it.

It's as if he says, "No more! Stop playing games. I'm tired of it."

And we wonder...is this really it??

Have they gone beyond God's patience?

Will God abandon them forever?

Have they used up all of God's forgiveness?

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In verse 16 the people who have sinned, repented. They put away the foreign gods and worshiped the LORD.

But would it be enough?

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And in verse 16b (or the second half of verse 16) we get the answer.

"he could no longer bear to see Israel suffer".

That one little verse says so much to me.

It says God is willing to watch us suffer for a time.

God's ultimate concern is not my ease or safety or comfort. God's ultimate concern is my character and my allegiance and my relationship to God.

But it also says God is so concerned about God's people that God can't sit by and do nothing forever.

If at this very moment you are wondering if you've gone too far to receive God's forgiveness and mercy, if you are worried you may have used up God's forgiveness, I would say two things.

1. I'm not exactly sure where God's line is at, but DON'T TRY AND FIND IT!! Use this moment of sensitivity in your own heart to respond to God with all of the authenticity, wisdom and passion you can. Confess where you've blown it, confess where you've been faithless or uncaring and unresponsive to God's overtures. And ask God to give you a new heart and a new will that intends to follow and be obedient.

2. If you are asking the question about how far is too far, if you're concerned about straying too far away from God, give thanks. It is God's spirit at work in you that allows you to be responsive to God's invitation, conviction, correction, and encouragement. (And then see #1 as you respond to God's spirit.)

May we take God's discipline and forgiveness seriously.

Grace & Peace