“Yet for all that, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, nor shall I abhor them, to utterly destroy them and break My covenant with them;for I am the LORD their God” (Lev 26:44).
Here in Leviticus God is giving the Israelites a preview of life when they walk with Him being full of blessing and conversely the curses of not walking with Him. Old Testament history is full of examples of Israel being given over to their enemies for a time due to them serving other gods. Yet within this verse lies the hope we all need to rely on: God is always about redemption.
God does not take pleasure in wrath and punishment (2 Peter 3:9). He takes pleasure in His children living righteous lives. Yet, even when we fail Him and the standards He has set for us, we must remember this – His redemptive purposes. He loves us and nothing we can do changes His love for us. His love is perfect. His love is constant and He continues to what is best for us.
Remember, if you have sinned, you can repent. If you have sinned so much you don’t think you can be any farther from God than you are right now, you can repent. You might take a thousand steps away from Him, but it is always just one step back. Why? because of what He promised above. He will never cast you away. He will never abhor you. He will never break His covenant with you. For even when we are unfaithful, He is yet faithful.
He will meet you where you are at and He will love you where you are at, simply because He already loves you. Turn and give Him your all once again. How can you be so sure about all of this? Paul writes, “But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:21-24). “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death” (Romans 8:1-2)
If you are in Christ, you are not abandoned. He has made a way out. Walk in it and know the depths of His love for you today.
“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2Peter 3:9).