God's Hand and Heart!

(Thomas Brooks)

"Who is a God like You, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? You do not stay angry forever, but delight to show mercy!" Micah 7:18

God takes delight in showing of mercy. He takes no pleasure in giving His people up to adversity. Mercy and kindness flow from Him freely and naturally. He is never severe, never harsh. He never stings us - but when He is sadly provoked by us.

God's hand sometimes may lie very hard upon His people - when His heart, His affections at those very times may be yearning towards them. "Is not Ephraim my dear son, the child in whom I delight? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him - declares the LORD." Jeremiah 31:20

No man can tell the heart of God - by His hand.
God's hand of mercy may be open to those against whom His heart is set - as you see in the rich fool and Dives.
And His hand of severity may lie hard upon those on whom He has set His heart - as you may see in Job and Lazarus.

"When you can't trace His hand - trust His heart!"