Looking Back and Seeing the Good Hand of God…

Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?—Romans 2:4

BLB

Despise - to contemn, despise, disdain, think little or nothing of

Goodness - moral goodness, integrity, benignity, kindness

Forbearance - self-restraint, i.e. tolerance:

Longsuffering - patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs

Believers Bible Commentary:  

—judgment of God is according to truth

—judgment of God is inescapable unless we repent

—judgment of God is sometimes delayed  (vs 4)

I have loved this verse from my very first reading because it caused me look back to the road I traveled to repentance. It made me see that it truly was His goodness, His forbearance, and His long-suffering toward me that led me to repentance.  1 Peter 3:9 says this:

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

I am so glad the Lord was patient with me...looking back I can see His providential hand on my life...protecting and preserving me while leading me to Himself with cords of kindness. ❤️