Why God’s Love, Patience, and Kindness Matter to Us
When life gets tough, or we feel lost, it’s natural to wonder what God is really like. Psalm 86:15 gives us a beautiful, clear answer: “But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” In everyday terms, this means God is incredibly kind, patient, loving, and always keeps His promises.
What Does Psalm 86:15 Really Say About God?
· He’s Compassionate and Gracious: God isn’t cold or distant—He cares deeply about people. “Compassionate” means He feels for us when we struggle, and “gracious” means He’s generous, giving us good things even when we don’t deserve them.
· He’s Slow to Anger: God doesn’t have a short fuse. He’s patient, giving us chance after chance to change and grow. He doesn’t get mad quickly, but waits, hoping we’ll make things right.
· He’s Abounding in Love and Faithfulness: God’s love isn’t small—it’s overflowing. “Abounding” means there’s more than enough for everyone. And “faithfulness” means He always does what He says and never lets us down.
How Does This Connect to Other Parts of the Bible?
This verse echoes a message God repeats throughout the Bible, showing it’s a big part of who He is. In Exodus 34:6-7, God describes Himself almost the same way—merciful, gracious, patient, loving, and faithful. It’s like God is reminding us again and again: “This is who I am. You can trust me.”
The same words pop up in Psalm 103:8 and Psalm 145:8-9, painting a picture of a God who is always good, always caring, and always ready to forgive. These aren’t just nice-sounding phrases—they’re the foundation of the relationship God wants to have with us.
What Does This Mean for Our Lives?
· God Understands Us: Just like a loving parent feels for their child, God knows when we’re weak, confused, or make mistakes. He doesn’t give up on us, but helps us up, teaches us, and comforts us. His compassion means we’re not alone in our mess.
· He Gives Us Time to Grow: Because God is slow to anger, we don’t have to walk on eggshells. He’s patient with our journey, waiting for us to learn and turn back to Him if we wander off.
· His Love Never Runs Out: We might let each other down, but God’s love and faithfulness never fail. Even when we’re unsteady, He’s steady.
We See This Most Clearly in Jesus
The best picture of God’s compassion and love is Jesus. The Bible says Jesus healed people’s bodies and hearts, forgave sins, and welcomed everyone—no matter their mistakes. He showed us what “slow to anger” and “abounding in love” look like in real life. Through Jesus, God offers forgiveness and a fresh start to anyone who comes to Him.
Why This Matters
When we remember God is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and full of love, it changes how we see ourselves and others. We can have hope, knowing God is for us, not against us. And we can try to treat others with the same kindness and patience God shows us.
So, if you’re ever unsure about how God feels toward you, think of Psalm 86:15: He’s not just waiting to judge, but ready to love, forgive, and help—again and again.
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 