God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

FROM PASTOR KLAUS - Adults please read this devotion over before you share it with children. While I tried to handle the topic in a circumspect manner, it still needs your decision in regard to sharing. Thank you.

I've been told that even the meekest of mice will fight back if they feel cornered.

Never having cornered a mouse, I'll have to accept the word of others who have done some serious mice-cornering. On the other hand, I know that people, when cornered, can often do some pretty sad and sinful things.

Case in point: the 30-year-old Russian mother Galina Ryabkova who threw her two young sons off a 15th-story balcony. And what was the reason which precipitated this great tragedy? Very simple: the mother said she was "fed up" with them.

What a terrible tragedy. What an obvious example of the way sin can twist even the closest of human relationships.

As I read through Scripture, as I listen to the evening news, it occurs to me the Lord could easily feel the same way about us.

Although there are occasional rare and temporary exceptions, most human lives are lived in a way that could easily have the Lord saying, "I'm fed up with them."

• He shows us love, and we take it for granted or ignore Him.

• He gives us a command for our own good, and we break it.

• He sends a Savior, and we crucify Him.

• He calls us to salvation, and we try to make improvements on His invitation.

Amazingly, God doesn't throw us all out the window. It's a witness to His patience and long-suffering that He doesn't send some form of destruction to wipe us all from His memory.

In spite of all we do wrong, the Lord continues to love us and invite us to be members of His family of faith.

Understand, that invitation isn't a cheap one. It was not extended without Him paying a great price. Indeed, for us to receive God's forgiveness and invite, His Son had to die.

I wouldn't have done it; you wouldn't either.

This is why we are blessed -- blessed to have a God who has done what we could not or would not. We have a divine Lord who has refused to say, "I'm fed up." May we honor Him with all we do and say.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, there are so many reasons which show why You are God, and we are not. Forgive us our short tempers and our anger. Instead of getting "fed up" with each other, may we reflect the love we have received from You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: 2 Kings 22-23    Galatians 6

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