Psalm 103:10 AMPC
He has not dealt with us after our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
Psalm 103:10 NKJV
He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
Psalm 103:10 TPT
You may discipline us for our many sins, but never as much as we really deserve. Nor do You get even with us for what we've done.
Psalm 103:10 NLT
He does not punish us for all our sins; He does not deal as harshly with us, as we deserve.
There are many discussions that "the punishment doesn't fit the crime" when we see serial killers getting comparatively luxurious prison cells to live in.
It seems ludicrous that someone who has denied life to so many should be treated so relatively kindly.
The Bible is clear that we too get off lightly before God!
We need to realise that Jesus has taken the full brunt of the Father's punishment of sin.
Therefore He can justifiably hold back the tide of wrath toward us giving time for repentance.
In the Old Testament, God sent Jonah to Ninevah to warn of the coming punishment of the Assyrians, who had been so devastatingly cruel in their conquests.
They responded to Jonah's reluctant message and repented and Jonah was angry about it. He wanted them wiped out - full stop!
Jonah 4:2 NLT
So he complained to the LORD about it: "Didn't I say before I left home that you would do this, LORD? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people.
God's reply opens up another insight in the Lord's heart:
Jonah 4:11 NLT
But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn't I feel sorry for such a great city?"
God wants people to turn away from their evil ways and acknowledge Him. Holding back on punishment does encourage the repentant to follow Him.
2 Peter 3:9 NLT
The Lord isn't really being slow about His Promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
Now is the time to turn from our selfish ways and turn back to the Living God.
Read again the Parable of the Prodigal Son and come home to our Heavenly Father (Luke 15:11-32) while there's still time.
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