A Newsletter of weekly meditations on Biblical Theology and curated resources from The Carson CenterMay 6, 2026
 Read: Exodus 34; 2 Samuel 24 “The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.’” (Ex. 34:6) “Then David said to Gad, ‘I am in great distress. Let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for his mercy is great; but let me not fall into the hand of man.’” (2 Sam. 24:14) Just like Adam and his wife hiding among the trees of the garden (Gen. 3:8), we often feel like running away from God when we sin, fearful of his judgment. David had committed a great sin in numbering God’s people, since doing so presumed his ownership of them as well as his trust in his own military might. The LORD’s king, by contrast, was to view himself as a vice-regent, serving God’s people, and dependent on the LORD for battle victory. Yet when faced with several options of punishment, David chose to fall directly into the hands of God “for his mercy is great” (2 Sam. 24:14). Amazingly, David’s theology, his view of God, was such that, when guilty of sin, he ran to God rather than away from him! Many today (mistakenly) see the “God of the Old Testament” as harsh and judgmental. But not David. How did he come to know God so well? In the same way we do–through his Word. As required of Israelite kings, David meditated regularly on the Torah (Deut. 17:18–19; Ps. 1), in which we find God’s attributes of mercy revealed (Ex. 34:6–7). Like setting a brilliant diamond against the backdrop of black velvet, so the ultimate significance of the Name “the LORD” (“YHWH” in Hebrew) was unveiled against the dark backdrop of Israel’s apostasy with the golden calf (Ex. 32–34). The LORD is so merciful and slow to anger, he is able to forgive Israel time and again, and continue his special relationship with his people, even though they are stiff-necked. After the gift of God’s Son, Jesus, who gave his life to save his people from their sins, we have even more reason than David to understand the greatness of God’s mercies. We can have the assurance that God, who “did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all” (Rom. 8:32), surely loves us and will forgive us when we turn to him. – Michael Morales Reflect: Meditate on God’s goodness and commit to keeping “short accounts” in your relationship with him, repenting and confessing regularly. Are there sins you still need to deal with in prayer? How can you demonstrate God’s character of mercy when others sin against you? Is there someone you need to forgive? |
