Self-Portrait
READ
Today’s words represent God's own self-description—His autobiography in a single verse. When Moses asked to see God's glory on Mount Sinai, this declaration is what God chose to reveal. Not His power, though He had recently parted the Red Sea. Not His holiness, though He had shaken the mountain with His presence. Instead, He emphasized His compassion, grace, patience, love, and faithfulness.
Let’s take a moment to read Exodus 34:6:
“The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness…”
REFLECT
The context for today’s passage makes this even more striking. This revelation came after Israel's rebellion with the golden calf—their shocking betrayal just days after promising to follow God. At the very moment when judgment would have been justified, God chose to emphasize His compassion.
The Hebrew word for "compassionate" (rachum) shares its root with "womb" (rechem). It portrays a tender, maternal love—an instinctive care like a mother feels toward her child. This isn't cold benevolence from a distant deity, but the warm embrace of a God who feels deeply for His creation.
"Slow to anger" literally translates as "long of nose" in Hebrew. The imagery comes from the observation that an angry person's nostrils flare quickly, while a patient person takes longer to reach that point. God is telling us that His fuse is extraordinarily long. He doesn't react with immediate judgment when we fail but gives space for repentance and restoration.
"Abounding in love" uses the Hebrew word chesed—a term so rich in meaning it's difficult to translate. It combines loyal love, covenant faithfulness, and steadfast commitment. This isn't fickle affection that waxes and wanes but an overflowing, inexhaustible resource. The image is of a flood of love—not a trickle or stream but an overwhelming abundance.
This self-portrait of God upends many common misconceptions. Rather than an angry deity waiting to punish, we see a God whose default setting is compassion. Rather than a cold, distant force, we meet a God characterized by personal, tender care. Rather than an unpredictable power, we encounter reliable faithfulness.
When life's challenges tempt us to question God's goodness, this verse calls us back to His core identity. Whatever we face, we face it with a God whose compassion, grace, patience, love, and faithfulness aren't situational but essential to who He is.
RESPOND
Take a moment to process what God might be leading you to do in light of what you read.
How does seeing compassion as a fundamental part of God's character (rather than just an occasional action) change how you relate to Him?
In what situation do you most need to remember God is "slow to anger" and "abounding in love"?
REST
Take a moment to rest in God’s presence and consider one thing you can take away from your time reading, then close your devotional experience by praying:
Compassionate Father, thank You for revealing Yourself as abundantly loving and patient with me. When I'm tempted to see You through the lens of judgment or distance, remind me of Your self-portrait of compassion and grace. Help me to both receive and reflect these qualities in my daily life and relationships with others. Amen.