If we don’t remind ourselves that God is much more compassionate and loving than we are, we will misunderstand God.

For example, we might question God’s method of wiping out a people group in the Old Testament. He gave orders so that not only fighting men would be wiped out, but their wives and even their children! When Achan sinned against God by taking some loots from Jericho, God told Joshua to put everyone in his family to death. That included his wife, children and even his animals… What gives? Why is God so harsh?

When Jonah was told to go to the Nineveh to preach, he refused. But then he was swallowed by a fish and came to his senses and finally went to Nineveh to preach. When he did, a revival broke out in Nineveh and Jonah hated it because he hated the people. But God tells him that He has compassion on them and He didn’t want them to perish even though they’ve done some despicable things.

God is way more compassionate and merciful than we are. We must remember it when He seems to be dealing harshly with some people. If to our senses, He is harsh and merciless, then our senses need adjusting. Perhaps, God didn’t want Achan’s sons and daughters to grow up rebellious and resentful and took them home before they had a chance to do so and be lost forever to hell…

He who did not spare his own son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also along with him give us all things? Romans 8:32.

PH