It’s fascinating to visit websites that debunk “urban myths.” But when it comes to God the real source for debunking “urban myths” is not some website; it’s the scriptures. Here’s a common myth about God: “The God of the Old Testament is a God of wrath, but in the New Testament, Jesus shows us a God of love and mercy.”
The spin-off of this “myth” is that we focus our attention on the New Testament and remain ignorant of the Old Testament. Our Old Testament ignorance makes it that much easier to perpetuate the myth! And the tragedy is that we miss out on a treasure trove of valuable insight into the character of God.
In Jesus’ famous parable, when the Prodigal Son repents and returns home, the Father welcomes his unfaithful son back and throws a big party. With this story, Jesus highlights God’s incredible patience and longsuffering with His rebellious people, and His eagerness to forgive; Yes, eagerness! But this is not something new. We see God acting this same way in the Old Testament.
Generation after generation, century after century, the Israelites rebel against God, and yet He patiently pleads with them to repent, turn to Him, and to avoid
the catastrophe that will inevitably overtake them. This theme begins with their exodus from Egypt and continues through to the end of the Old Testament:I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me;
I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me.
I said, “Here I am, here I am,”
to a nation that was not called by my name.
I spread out my hands all the day
to a rebellious people,
who walk in a way that is not good,
following their own devices” (Isaiah 65:1–2)
“Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.” (Ezekiel 18:31–32)
But what happens if and when they do respond to God’s persistent appeals? Is He like the father in Jesus’ parable? Yes! David captures this in one of his Psalms:
For his anger is but for a moment,
and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night
but joy comes with the morning. (Psalm 30:5)
Amazing! When someone offends me (or I offend them), the best that I can hope for is to “forgive and forget.” But that is not what God is like; not at all. God’s heart is so much greater than ours. When His people continue in rebellion and unfaithfulness, He turns up the heat, and their life becomes hard. But when His people turn back to Him, God’s anger is replaced by His persistent favor! Just like with the prodigal son. We are forgiven, and welcomed back, and then blessed! That is why David finishes Psalm 30 by saying:
“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
you have loosed my sackcloth
and clothed me with gladness,
that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!” (Psalm 30:11–12)
And hundreds of years after David, Isaiah affirms this same aspect of God’s character as he speaks for God:
You will say in that day:
“I will give thanks to you, O Lord,
for though you were angry with me,
your anger turned away,
that you might comfort me.” (Isaiah 12:1)
The appropriate response to this Old and New Testament characteristic of the Living God is thanksgiving and praise!