Imagine it is your loved one's birthday. You have carefully picked out the best gift that you could afford. Then you lovingly wrap it in the most beautiful paper, complete with a perfectly tied bow on top. Anxiously, you hand it to your loved one to unwrap and, with much anticipation, you await their reaction. Finally, your beloved picks up the gift and a look of disdain flashes on their face. You are heartbroken! This is the same way God feels when someone detests "the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering," which are His gifts to us.

Goodness in today's verse comes from the Greek word chréstós, which means benevolent. Forbearance means tolerant, and longsuffering means patient. God is abundant in these attributes. He showed His benevolence toward us in the giving of His Son to die "while we were still sinners" (Romans 5:8). His tolerance is exemplified by not instantly blotting us out over our sins. And because God is patient, He is not willing "that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). If it wasn't for the "goodness of God," there would be no hope for us sinful humans!

It is the "goodness of God [that] leads you to repentance." The Spirit of God is speaking to your heart, drawing you closer to Him. He is pleading with you to give up the things that are keeping you from having closer communion with Him. Harken to His voice and ask God for repentance and to reveal Christ's infinite love to you. Take hold of today's promise and rejoice in the riches of the Lord.

( Prayer )
Merciful Savior, I'm humbly asking for repentance. Please reveal Your infinite love to me.

For Further Study: Exodus 34:6; Isaiah 30:18; John 3:17