The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy. The Lord is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works (Psalm 145:8-9). The Lord upholds all who fall, And raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look expectantly to You, And You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing (Psalm 145:14-16).
Years ago the Lord used these verses to renew my mind to His true disposition towards me. Being raised in a denominational church, I had the idea that God was harsh, vindictive, angry, and demanding. Who wants to have an intimate relationship with someone who doesn’t like them?
This word gracious means ready to show favors. Instead of being angry and harsh I found that the Father wants to help me in life. He’s not looking for a way to harm me, He’s actively looking for ways to bless. God is our refuge and fortress; s very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).
He is full of compassion. According to Webster’s Dictionary, compassion is sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it. The Father understands what I’m dealing with in life, and has a desire to alleviate that which produces pain in me. The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Jesus comes to bring us life to the fullest.
The Father is slow to anger. He wants us to make it! He does not want us to be judged, so He allows us to take advantage of opportunities to repent and reconcile when we sin. When judgment does come, it is only after much delay.
The Lord is great in mercy. Webster says that mercy is compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power. Mercy is when I don’t get what I do deserve. The Father’s mercy is great!
The Father’s disposition towards you today is that He desire to help you, favor you, forgive you when you sin, and to act in forbearance when you slip up and sin.
Getting to know the Father is the greatest privilege anyone could have. Don’t allow you personal bias to keep you away from Him. He loves you and is right now reaching out in benevolence and love to be a very present help in time of trouble!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
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Pastor Mitch,
ReplyDeleteIf we would meditate just one minute everyday on the one statement where you said, Getting to know the Father is the greatest privilege anyone could have, I think our relationship with the Father would strengthen.
Hi Pastor Mitch,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your word today and sharing the heart of the Father with me! I have not been able to come to Victory in quite awhile due to some health issues(amputee & heart surgeries and a diabetic). We used to come on Wed nights and since we are moving closer to Garner this weekend, I hope to attend again. I have always been encouraged not only by your preaching, but reading your blog. I download your sermons and others from Victory. I especially enjoy reading of your mission trips and pray for you when you go! I want to thank you for your faithfulness and know that you are making an impact with this blog, at least in my life!
In His Name, Jesus
Kevin Mackin