Joel 2:13 "...Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love..."
Joel is describing a scene of utter chaos. A plague of locusts is destroying the land and Joel sees this as a sign of sudden doom for the people. These locusts represent God's punishment on his people for their constant rebellion and disobedience to the Lord. Yet here, Joel shows God's heart. God is gracious and compassionate, and slow to anger. Great words.
I do a lot of things that should make God angry at me. I am sinful, prideful, lazy, and selfish! Thank goodness he is gracious and slow to anger. And since he has displayed such mercy with me, I ought to display that same attitude with others. Am I slow to anger? Am I gracious and compassionate? Today I know I need to be slow to anger and gracious with my children. That is my job today.
Dear Jesus, thank you for your mercy. Help me be patient and gracious with Jack and Ellie today. Amen.
