Again and Again
Each time I read through the Bible, I am stunned by what God shows me that somehow hadn’t grabbed my attention before. This year I have been noticing a repeated phrase that reminds me how amazing our God really is.
The phrase is “again and again.” I have counted no less than ten times that God uses this phrase to get our attention. He uses it in two ways and both are a sad commentary on how we struggle as His followers.
One time God says we as His people repeatedly tempt and pain Him by our sins (Psalm 78:41— “Again and again they tempted God, and pained the Holy One of Israel.”)
Nine times God says He had to repeatedly send His messengers to compassionately call us to turn away from our sins which ruin our lives, but we do not listen (2 Chron. 36:15— “The Lord, the God of their fathers, sent word to them again and again by His messengers, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place.” Jer. 25:4— “And the Lord has sent to you all His servants the prophets again and again, but you have not listened nor inclined your ear to hear.” See also Jer. 25:3; 26:5; 29:19; 32:33; 35:14–15; 44:4).
This “again and again” phrase doesn’t seem like a very encouraging comment until you realize just how great our God, who never gives up on us, really is. He keeps sending His messages and messengers to remind us and warn us and call us and show us how devastating sin can be in our lives and how important it is to truly “listen” to Him.
Here’s just a few things worth remembering that God’s “again and again” entails for you and me:
“I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you” (Heb. 13:5b).
“I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28).
“If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself” (2 Tim. 2:13).
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy” (Jude 24).
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
“For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges very son whom He receives” (Heb. 12:6).
What an amazing God you and I serve who “again and again” lavishes us with “grace upon grace.”
Pastor Jeff