I love sitting and listening the the waves crash on the beach. There is a rhythm and persistence that soothes my soul. But… I also remember being kid out in the waves trying to boogie board. More than once I got knocked down by a wave and before I could get steady and ready for the next wave I was knocked down again.

9 Times in the Old testament we find the phrase or a variation, “God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”

This is the God who has made a covenant with us, who relentlessly loves and is working with his people.

When the Israelites wander in the desert for 40 years God puts up with lots of whining and disobedience. He persists with the people in the wake of their atrocious morality after they get into the promise land during the time of the judges. The Israelites want for a king and subsequent behavior with the kings finally gets them kicked out of the Promise Land. God’s response is to eventually bring them back into the Promise Land, send Jesus, send the Holy Spirit, and God continues dealing with us.

Our relentless God, finds a way to use all things for his glory. Even our sin, once Jesus has redeemed us, can be used to glorify God. The unconditional, agape love continues to come again and again, like the waves of the sea until we finally yield to its power, to God’s power. Our choice is fighting the waves, letting them drown us or riding them with a boogie board!

Take a few minutes on each of these:

What sin has God been relentlessly, lovingly asking you to change?

What hurt has God been relentlessly, lovingly trying to heal?

What has God been relentlessly, lovingly calling you to do or be?