NEHEMIAH 9:17

They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them...

TO PONDER:

Who is that person you are ready to give up on? The person, that for whatever reason, refuses to listen or change, and continues to self-destruct with sabotaging choices and decisions? Who is that person who has repeatedly hurt, disappointed you and stubbornly refused to see the error of their ways? Who is that person that you given chance after chance to change but you have got to the point where enough is enough? For most of us, it probably doesn't take us too long to identify or name that person in our life.

If you have a chance, read the whole of Nehemiah 9, as Nehemiah goes through a catalogue of things that God's people have done, the stubborn refusal to live in a covenant relationship with the God of life, the sabotaging and self-destructive behaviours, the defiance....the list is comprehensive. When is enough enough. When is it time to walk away, the cast off, to give up on people who will not change? If I was God...

But as Nehemiah reminds us, the God who longs to be in relationship with us, is forgiving, gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in love...and because that is who he is we have the most beautiful comment...Therefore you did not desert them. God will not give up on you. God will not give up on the person that you named in your mind either. God is for you. He is for them. Always. That makes all the difference to how I live and how I love....when I am ready to give up on someone.

PRAYER:

Gracious God, thank you that you have never given up on me, even when my destructive behaviours and choices have hurt you and those around me. Forgive me when I am tempted to give up on others. Fill me with your grace, that I may continue to reflect your love to those I want to turn my back on. Amen.