Abounding in Steadfast Love

And now, therefore, let the power of the Lord be great in the way that you promised when you spoke, saying,

‘The Lord is slow to anger,
and abounding in steadfast love,
forgiving iniquity and transgression,
but by no means clearing the guilty,
visiting the iniquity of the parents
upon the children
to the third and the fourth generation.’

Forgive the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have pardoned this people, from Egypt even until now.”

-Numbers 14:17-19

One of the remarkable things about Hebrew scripture is how God and humans interact. Here, Moses dares to intercede and remind God of his covenant agreement with Abraham and his descendants. He uses God's own words to remind God that he described himself as "abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression." Smart guy, Moses.

Moses reminds me that my relationship with God can be just as intimate and direct. I can bring anything to God in any way that is honest and authentic. I don't have to pretend with God, just as I can let God be God.

Lent provides us with a fresh opportunity to reawaken and deepen our spiritual connection to God's healing presence in our everyday lives. It is a time to immerse ourselves in the Spirit’s longing for us in a deeper union of love, a deeper relationship with God. It is a time to look honestly at our shortcomings, to share them with God, and become ready to let go and let God remove them in forgiveness according to the greatness of his steadfast love.

-Deacon Daniel Tamm