What the Lord Is Like

Hope this short meditation finds you "fixing your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)  Psalm 107:1-2 says, "Oh give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary."

The command, the exhortation, the duty called upon for the redeemed of the Lord is to give thanks. What else could be more appropriate, more worthwhile, more uplifting than giving thanks to the Lord? And why should we do so? For, or because, He is good; for, or because, His lovingkindness/steadfast love/mercies are everlasting. Everyone can do that! Consider: Matthew 5:45, "For He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and the rain to fall on the righteous and unrighteous."  James 1:17, "Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father above."  Psalm 84:11, "He will withhold no good thing from those who walk uprightly."  Romans 8:28, "He works all things together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."  The Lord has abundant goodness, and His mercies are over all His works.

Are we thankful for health, life, strength, and well-being? For a job, roof over our head, clothes on our back, and food on our table? What do we have that we have not received? Psalm 23:6 says, "Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life." He is a God of mercy. Paul refers to Him as the Father of mercies and God of all comfort in 2 Corinthians 1:3. Mercy simply being the ready inclination of God to relieve the misery of His fallen creatures.

English puritan George Swinnock says, "God's justice seeks a worthy object, God's grace seeks an unworthy object, but God's mercy seeks a needy object." He and only He can call these to be redeemed from the darkness they once walked in and truly see the Light of the world. When God calls, the object called responds. In no way can it not. Take for example Lazarus. The Lord called and he came forth from the grave. And in the final end, Jesus says in John 5:28-29, "Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgement."

"How marvelous, how wonderful, and my song shall ever be, How marvelous, how wonderful, is my Savior's love for me." (I stand amazed in the presence, lyrics by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel)

Elder Randy Slak