Are You Ducking God?

“To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against Him.” - Daniel 9:9 
 
There is a popular phrase the kids say now when they believe someone is avoiding an outcome. They try to put pressure on the person by asking the question, “are you ducking smoke?” The term “ducking” means avoiding and “smoke” means trouble, confrontation, or a consequence.

Are you ducking smoke? In other words, are you avoiding trouble, confrontation, or a consequence? Many athletes will use this phrase as a form of trash talk when they think someone doesn’t want to compete against them.
 
My question for you is, are you ducking God? Are you avoiding Him because of something you have done, or because of the person you have become? Maybe you are too ashamed to stand before Him. Or maybe you are afraid if you do, He will just unleash the worst of consequences upon you.

Maybe they are deserved. Maybe they aren’t. But what if that wasn’t who God is? Daniel 9:9 says, “To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against Him.”
 
Both believers who have strayed from Him, and nonbelievers who know they need Him, are too often afraid to reach out to God. They are afraid because of what they have done that they are unworthy of calling on Him.

They know they are in trouble, but they think God is just some harsh judge ready to rain down punishment. But that is not who He is. Daniel speaks of a God of mercy and forgiveness. God isn’t just sitting there, ready to punish you.
 
He is a Heavenly Father that wants a personal relationship with you. He wants you to come to Him with every concern, worry, and problem you have. He will help you.

Are you ducking God? If so, why? Are you afraid of His punishment? Remember, He is a God of MERCY and FORGIVENESS. He loves you and He wants a relationship with you. Call upon Him today. It’s time to stop ducking that smoke.