The Loving and the Faithful One

This is one of the oldest descriptions we have of God — spoken by Him to Moses, right after the incident of the golden calf. Right after the people had done exactly what they shouldn't have. And it's in that moment that God reveals His character.

Merciful. Gracious. Slow to anger. Abounding in goodness. Faithful.

It wasn't in a moment of victory that God revealed Himself this way — it was in a moment of deep human failure. As if He wanted it to be clear forever: this is My character, even when you fail.

The God you serve today is that same God. He hasn't changed. He hasn't grown more severe with time, hasn't become less merciful. The same One who revealed Himself to Moses is with you.

When you're tempted to imagine a different God — angrier, more distant, more punishing — go back to Exodus 34. This is His portrait.