Insecurity Can Lead to Error (Part 2): the One Who Loves Much Is Forgiven Much
He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does the Lord require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? — Micah 6:8
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. — 1 John 1:9
Author
Dr. Roberto Miranda
Summary: Although our sinful, ignorant, or weak decisions may lead us into serious crises, we can repent and cry out to God. He looks at the sincerity of the heart, not at an impossible perfection, and shows special mercy when our lives seek his glory and will. This does not always remove the consequences of our errors, but God can use even negative circumstances to strengthen us. Jehoshaphat was severely rebuked for helping the wicked, yet he also received comfort because he had removed idolatry and set his heart on seeking God. Unlike Ahab, who was hardened in rebellion and under judgment, Jehoshaphat found mercy that softened his falls. Therefore, we must act justly, love mercy, and humble ourselves before God.
In the previous meditation, we saw how King Jehoshaphat’s insecurity as a character trait led him to make disastrous decisions that nearly cost him his life. In those situations, amid the crises he had brought upon himself, Jehoshaphat sought divine help; and God, in his goodness toward this man who, despite his weakness, had an upright and sincere heart toward Him, delivered him from danger.
It is important to emphasize this fact. Although our bad decisions—whether caused by sin, ignorance, or weakness—may land us in serious trouble, God always has mercy on us if we repent and cry out to Him, especially if our mistakes occur within the context of a life that seeks His glory and submits to His will.
God looks at the individual’s heart, not their perfection. If God dealt with us exclusively according to our actions, none of us could expect anything from Him! That is why the psalmist asks rhetorically in Psalm 130:3: “If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” In his infinite mercy, God looks into the innermost heart. He deals with us not strictly according to our actions, but according to our intentions. Sometimes, however, God will not entirely deliver us from the negative consequences of our wrong decisions; but if we seek his face and repent, he will use even the negative and sinful things in our lives to bless and strengthen us.
During the first campaign against Ramoth Gilead, although God delivered Jehoshaphat from certain death, on his way home he was confronted by the prophet Jehu, who rebuked him with stern words: “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the presence of the Lord. Nevertheless, good things have been found in you, because you have removed the Asherah images from the land and have set your heart on seeking God” (2 Chronicles 19:2–3). Significantly, even amid the correction, the prophetic word brought encouragement and comfort to Jehoshaphat’s heart: God did not ignore his efforts to tear down the worship of false gods in Judah, nor did he overlook his heart, which was set on sincerely seeking God.
That humble and generous attitude on the part of the king of Judah caused God to have mercy on him time and again and to mitigate the negative consequences of his disobedient actions. Ahab, a wicked man hardened in evil, was not so fortunate. In the same campaign in which Jehoshaphat nearly lost his life, the king of Israel lost his own despite all the precautions he had taken, as a result of an arrow shot at random by an enemy soldier (2 Chronicles 18:33). Jehoshaphat had reserves of mercy with God that cushioned the consequences of his wrong decisions. Ahab possessed no similar benefit. On the contrary, God’s judgment had already been pronounced against him. The blind arrow that struck him “between the joints of his armor” and took his life represented God’s execution of justice for the murder of Naboth in order to seize his vineyard years earlier (see 1 Kings 21).
For the person who loves God and cares about his glory, there are immense reserves of mercy on the day of error or failure. For the indifferent or rebellious person, there is only bare judgment, without cushions of any kind. In his relationship with us, God is incredibly humble and asks very little. The prophet Micah expresses it in memorable words: “O man, He has shown you what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love mercy, and to humble yourself before your God?” (Micah 6:8).