A Faithful God Among a Vacillating People

Aim: To despise our sin, and love our Savior.

Doctrine: Despite sinful fickleness among those in the covenant, God remains always utterly faithful. The Lord's gracious character is no comfort for unbelieving sinners, but it is a great encouragement for struggling believers.

Exegesis: Some distinguishing traits of our faithful God: He saves us from our self-imposed trouble (vv. 28-29a); He bears with us—even when we are wayward (vv. 29b-30a); He loves His church, our sins notwithstanding (vv. 30b-31).

Further application: How the redeemed church responds to her faithful God: by grace we crucify our flesh (with all its attendant rebellion), and in love we live by faith in the Son of God.

Key verse: v. 31 ''Nevertheless in Your great mercy You did not utterly consume them nor forsake them; for You are God, gracious and merciful.''