When the children of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for the children of Israel, who delivered them: Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel. He went out to war, and the Lord delivered Cushan-Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed over Cushan-Rishathaim. (Judges 3:9-10 NKJV)
The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord; they forgot the Lord their God and served other gods. Though the Israelites repeatedly sinned against the Lord, the Lord always rescued them when they call for Him. Indeed, our Lord is a forgiving God. He is gracious and compassionate and abounding in love. The Lord could have easily abandoned Israel because of their blasphemies, but because of His great compassion, He still delivered them from their enemies. But let us not mistake the Lord’s forgiveness as tolerance. He is still a just God. Though we know that the Lord will forgive us if we truly repent for our sins, let us not purposely do bad things thinking that the Lord is gracious and will forgive us. Today, let us repay His graciousness by doing what is right in His eyes and thank Him for His abundant love for us.
