How do you strengthen your faith and become more like our Savior? How can you be more like the Father who created you?
These are questions you should be asking yourself everyday.
As believers, we all should strive to become more like God.
Although we will never become as loving and gracious as God, we should try to be more like Him each day.
God’s character is evident throughout the entire Bible.
In every story, He is seen. In every book and chapter, His character comes to life.
Although there are so many places in Scripture we could turn to, I want to discuss six of His character traits that can be found in only one verse.
Nehemiah 9:17b: “But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them.“
This chapter of Nehemiah discusses the Israelites and how they did not obey God’s commands after they fled Egypt. This verse tells us of God’s character towards these sinful people.
In Nehemiah 9:17 we learn that God is ready to forgive us.
No matter what we do, no matter how we have sinned, God is always ready to forgive us. Yeshua (Jesus) died on the cross for our sins. He took our punishment on Himself so we can live a life that allows God to forgive us.
We should also be ready to forgive. No matter what someone has done to you, be ready to forgive them. If God can forgive them, so can you.
Nehemiah 9:17 also tells us that God is gracious.
He is able to offer us grace. Even if we wrong Him day after day, He will still show us grace.
We also need to offer grace to all we meet because we are in the favor of God.
This verse also tells us that God is merciful.
Mercy goes along with forgiveness. Since God forgave us, He will show us abounding mercy. He is merciful to us no matter what.
And we need to show mercy to all those who need it.
Nehemiah 9:17 also says that God is slow to anger. Isn’t that amazing!
With all the disobedience and rebellion that these Israelites have done, God could still control His anger towards them. He will also be slow to anger with you and me. Although we are wicked sinners who rebel against Him daily, He can still be slow to be angry with us.
This is a great character trait of His that we should all learn. People will act wickedly against us. They will do us wrong and will try to provoke our anger. But always remember to be slow to anger towards them.
Abounding in steadfast love is another one of God’s character traits in Nehemiah 9:17.
God is abounding in love for us. He loves us so much that He is able to forgive us, show us grace and mercy, and be slow to anger. He is abounding in steadfast love for you!
We need to show love to all who we meet. We need to love family, strangers, and enemies. If God’s loves them, you need to too.
Lastly, this verse tells us that God will not forsake us.
Even though Israel rebelled against Him and disobeyed Him, God never forsake them. He continued to lead them to the Promise Land even through all of the trouble the Israelites gave Him. And He will do the same for you. He will never ever forsake you.
If God will never forsake us, we should not forsake others. If they need our help or time, we should gladly give it to them. No matter how hard they may be on you, do not forsake them.
God’s character is amazing and worth discovering.
We should never grow tired of striving to be more like Him. Never stop discovering God’s character.
In His amazing love,
Hannah Marie
Let’s talk! Which of God’s character traits in Nehemiah 9:17 convicted you the most?
