Be still and know that God, your Creator, does not seek to punish you but to lavish you with His love.
There are moments in life when we must quiet our hearts long enough to hear the truth whispering beneath the noise — that God is not against us, but deeply for us. Yet, if we are honest, there are times when a small voice within still wonders if every hardship, every disappointment, every loss is some form of divine punishment. We replay our mistakes and imagine God standing over us with disappointment or wrath. But that image of God is not the God revealed through grace. It is a reflection of fear, not faith.
When I paused to listen to my heart, I discovered two conflicting beliefs. One side saw God as a punisher — waiting for me to fail so He could respond with justice. The other side thought that punishment was a sign of His love. But the more I sought to know Him, the clearer it became: that belief is not who God is. His discipline may correct, but His purpose is always redemption, never destruction. There is nothing my God would not do to save me — and that, right there, is love in its purest form.
Scripture reminds us that God’s justice and His mercy coexist perfectly. He is a God of justice — sin carries consequences, and no wrongdoing escapes His sight. Yet in His compassion, He took that punishment upon Himself through Christ. The cross is the greatest expression of divine love: justice satisfied, mercy extended, and grace poured out freely.
So, if you find yourself struggling to accept His love — feeling unworthy, or weighed down by guilt and shame— take a deep breath. Be still. Let His truth sink in: God is not waiting to strike you down; He’s reaching to lift you up. He is not tallying your failures; He’s writing your redemption story. His arms are open, His heart is kind, and His love has no end.
Today, allow yourself to rest in that love. Let go of the image of a punishing God, and see instead the face of a Savior who took your punishment, so you could live in freedom. The same God who is just is also full of grace and mercy.
Be still and know — truly know — that He is God. And that He loves you more deeply than you can imagine.
“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” — Psalm 103:8