Leviticus 26:40-45 New International Version (NIV)
40 “‘But if they will confess their sins and the sins of their ancestors—their unfaithfulness and their hostility toward me, 41 which made me hostile toward them so that I sent them into the land of their enemies—then when their uncircumcised hearts are humbled and they pay for their sin, 42 I will remember my covenant with Jacob and my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land. 43 For the land will be deserted by them and will enjoy its sabbaths while it lies desolate without them. They will pay for their sins because they rejected my laws and abhorred my decrees. 44 Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them or abhor them so as to destroy them completely, breaking my covenant with them. I am the Lord their God. 45 But for their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors whom I brought out of Egypt in the sight of the nations to be their God. I am the Lord.’”
These verses show that God is slow to anger. Even if the Israelites chose to disobey and were scattered among their enemies, he would still give them the opportunity to repent and return to him. God’s purpose is to help us grow. Hardships are sometimes overwhelming unless you know that God is for you and not against you. You also need to acknowledge God. He is there for you. When you retain hope while going through suffering shows you understand God’s mercy and grace.
