Caricature God

The LORD is longsuffering and abundant in mercy,

forgetting iniquity and transgression;

but He by no means clears the guilty.
Numbers 14:18
*

 
Caricature artists set up their easels in public places and draw pictures of people who are willing to pay a modest price for a humorous image of themselves.  Their drawings amuse us because they exaggerate one or more of our physical features in a way that is recognizable but funny.

Caricatures of God, on the other hand, are not funny. Exaggerating one of His attributes presents a distorted view that people easily dismiss. Like a caricature, a distorted view of God is not taken seriously.  Those who see God portrayed only as an angry and demanding judge are easily lured away by someone who emphasizes mercy.   Those who see God as a kindhearted grandfather will reject that image when they need justice.  Those who see God as an intellectual idea rather than a living, loving being eventually find other ideas more appealing.   Those who see God as a best friend often leave Him behind when they find human friends who are more to their liking.

God declares Himself to be merciful and gracious, but also just in punishing the guilty:

 

And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children…"

Exodus 34:6-7

As we put our faith into action, we need to avoid portraying God as having only our favorite attributes.  We must worship all of God, not just what we like.

*
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit ~~

Oh, Thou blessed Trinity:

One in essence, yet three persons ~~

Thou, our God, we worship Thee.
D. De Haan

*

All-powerful, merciful, wise, and just is the God in whom we trust.

*
Our Daily Bread, March 3, 2012, Julie Ackerman Link
*
Insight

Being exposed to God’s perfect character drew two responses from Moses. He first responded with worship:

So Moses made haste and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped.

Exodus 34:8

And then he acknowledged the need for forgiveness:

If I have found grace in Your sight, O LORD, let my Lord, I pray, go among us, even though we are stiff-necked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as Your inheritance.

These continue to be important responses toward our loving God who is perfectly holy.

And so, gentle ladies,  ~~~  What should our response to what life brings us be?  No matter what is going on in our lives, it is our response to it that can glorify God -- or not.