God's Awesome Character

I was reading from Exodus 34 this morning and this is where God makes the covenant with Moses:

(NIV)Exodus 34:5-7, 10
Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord. [6] And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, [7] maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”
[10] Then the Lord said: “I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the Lord, will do for you.

I love these verses because they so clearly state how God wants to reveal Himself to us. He is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love for us, forgiving our wickedness, sin and rebellion. What an awesome character list.

I was thinking about how we, as Christians, are so often portrayed as angry, judgemental, stupid and bigoted. I am sure that the Lord would want His Bride,the Church, seen in the same light, with the same characteristics. Lord help us to truly represent You so that when people meet us, they meet You shining through us, displaying Your character.

I also like the part where God promises to do wonders never before seen, demonstrating how awesome is the work that He will do for them! What a great promise! Lord I long for days of seeing You do astounding things, so that we, and those around us, might understand how truly awesome Yu are in Your compassion, mercy, love, faithfulness and forgiveness!