Monthly Archives: January 2008

Mercy

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By definition, mercy is something that is not guaranteed.  The American Heritage Dictionary explains mercy like this:

  1. Compassionate treatment, especially of those under one’s power; clemency.
  2. A disposition to be kind and forgiving: a heart full of mercy.

So when it is clearly possible to get something else, and we get mercy instead – compassionate treatment, kindness, forgiveness – we tend to breathe a huge sigh of relief. 

Such was the relief experienced by the prophet Jeremiah after the destruction of Jerusalem.  Babylon had conquered, the city was flattened, the nation was defeated, the captivity had begun – and, tragically, it might all have been avoided.  It was all their own fault and Jeremiah knew this better than anyone; he had been prophesying it all along.

But Jeremiah had also prophesied that the captivity would last seventy years.  As his nation had already been promised an eternal future, he apparently figured that seventy years was, well, doable.  Eternity was a lot longer.

When we consider our own difficulties and disasters, we are wise to listen to Jeremiah.  He knew disaster well.  This doesn’t decrease the reality of our grief.  It increases our appreciation of God.  When we desire Him more than anything else, His mercies will fill our hearts with hope.

This I recall to my mind,
     Therefore I have hope.
Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed,
     Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
     Great is Your faithfulness.
‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul,
     ‘Therefore I hope in Him!'”
                    – Lamentations 3:21-24 (NKJV)

Reaching Forward

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One sure sign of stagnation in the Christian walk is a deepening desire for nostalgia – that sick sense of longing for the good old days.  Solomon reminds us that dwelling on an idealistic view of the past is pointless:

Do not say, ‘Why were the former days better than these?’
For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.”
                                             – Ecclesiastes 7:10 (NKJV)

As followers of Jesus, we need to keep looking forward if we ever expect to keep up.  We do not follow a Savior who stands still – much less one who walks backwards.  The future is the only time available for us to apply the lessons we’re learning right now.  The future offers the only opportunity there is to experience the result of our spiritual growth.

Paul realized that even he was a work in progress.  The Christian can always be sure that the best is yet to come.  Reaching forward is the only way to get to it.  The Lord has a future planned for you that you don’t want to miss.

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:12-14 (NKJV)

Grace Full, Truth Full, Joy Full

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The glory of God is revealed to us in Jesus.  How can we describe it?  John was one of those who beheld it, and he put it like this:

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14 (NKJV)

He is full of grace and truth.  This is how Charles Spurgeon summed it up: “Jesus is to me all grace and no wrath, all truth and no falsehood: and of truth and grace he is full, infinitely full.” There is so much grace and truth within Him, it’s as if grace and truth were never seen on earth before Jesus showed up.

For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” – John 1:17 (NKJV)

The blessing is multiplied when we realize that He has shared this fullness with us, His followers.

And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.” – John 1:16 (NKJV)

This is no dry, distant fact.  It’s something tangible and to be experienced.  Having received from Him, it is now our great privilege and pleasure to enjoy all that we have in the way of fellowship with God and one another.

That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” – 1 John 1:3-4 (NKJV)

Thanks → Peace → Perseverance

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A thankful heart is a valuable asset.  The New Testament reminds us to thank God “always for all things” (Ephesians 5:20) and to “in everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).  That’s a pretty tall order for most of us.  Yet even in the midst of prayer about things that would otherwise make us anxious, the reminder remains that these prayers should be offered “with thanksgiving.”

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)

If Paul could write that and mean it from his prison cell, I can probably pay attention at my desk.  What’s more, if this attitude of prayer and thanksgiving leads, as it does, to God’s peace guarding my heart and mind, then I will have already received all that I need to keep going.  God’s peace is the only acceptable substitute for a prayer that has yet to be answered.  No doubt this very “peace of God” helped that apostle display such remarkable perseverance.  I want to be like him when I grow up.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed-always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. -2 Corinthians 4:7-10 (NKJV)