SUMMARY: God’s patience
OVERVIEW: Despite Israel continuing to sin, God was gracious and provided for them, waiting for them to turn to him.
BIG IDEA: Thank God for his patience.
KEY VERSE: 2 Kings 13:23 (God’s faithfulness)
But the Lord was gracious and merciful to the people of Israel, and they were not totally destroyed. He pitied them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And to this day he still has not completely destroyed them or banished them from his presence.
IF GOD WROTE YOU A LETTER
I am a holy God, and I am calling you to be holy. Separate yourself from the ways of the world. You do not have to live according to the world’s rules. The world says you should live freely and do what you want, but that kind of freedom limits you. True freedom is saying “no” to what you don’t want to do and instead choosing to follow me. You will never find in sin what you hoped to discover. But you always find grace, peace, and freedom in me.
I am patient with you and the world. But a time will come when my patience ends. Don’t take my kindness for granted. Yes, I will forgive your sin when you ask, but don’t treat our relationship like a game. I am the living God, and I am offering you a life of fulfillment and purpose. Turn towards me, and I will help you. Continue to walk away from me, and I may allow you to get what you think you want. Turn back to me and follow me.
NEXT STEP
Confess any sin to God. Thank God for his patience in your life. Ask him to make you more patient with others (get ready for God to give you opportunities to practice!) and less patient with your sin. When tempted, focus on God’s grace and mercy, and ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit to give you the power to say “no” to temptation and “yes” to God.
LYRIC VIDEO