The Tender Mercies Of God
by Edward Griffin [source]
"I will mention the loving kindnesses of the Lord and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness towards the house of Israel which he hath bestowed on them, according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses." Isaiah 63:7.
The prophet, when he uttered these words, appeared to labor under
an ineffable sense of the tender mercies and loving kindnesses
of his God. He had been contemplating the wrath with which God
would one day visit Edom when he should come to deliver his people
from her oppressions. Immediately he raises an interesting contrast
and sets before his eyes God's "great goodness towards the
house of Israel" in loosing their Egyptian bonds and conducting
them through the wilderness. In this type as through a glass,
he discovered the wondrous love which redeems the Church from
more oppressive chains, and supports her in her journey to the
heavenly rest. Under this view he seemed transported, and in his
rapture exclaimed, "I will mention the loving kindnesses
of the Lord and the praises of the Lord, according to all that
the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness towards the
house of Israel which he hath bestowed on them, according to his
mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses."
Though we should not raise our eyes to the exalted love which
shines in the Gospel, still we should have abundant reason to
mention the loving kindnesses of the Lord. Without any adviser
or helper he introduced us to rational existence, and raised us
to intellectual enjoyment. By his unceasing care, that existence
is hourly supported. Our table is furnished and our raiment supplied
by his benign hand. We are blest with pleasant habitations and
possessions; we enjoy the delights of refined society, the blessings
of friendship, and the life and happiness of our friends. Our
health is sustained by a thousand minute and constantly repeated
touches of his hand to the various parts of our complicated machine.
All the pleasures of imagination, of memory, of hope, of sympathy,
and of sense; all the magic charms which play on nature's face,
are the gifts of his bounteous hand. By his watchful care we are
protected from countless visible and unseen dangers. By innumerable
impressions made on our animal spirits by his careful touch, we
are put in tone to enjoy the objects around us. More numerous
are his mercies than the stars which look out of heaven. On no
section of our life,—on no point of nature's works,—scarcely
on a circumstance in our relations to society, can we fix our
eyes, without seeing "the loving kindnesses of the Lord."
But when we lift our thoughts to his "great goodness towards
the house of Israel," our souls faint under the labor of
expressing the praise we owe. Redeeming grace most fully displays
the richness and extent of his loving kindnesses; redeeming grace
was the theme which transported the author of our text; and redeeming
grace shall be the subject of this discourse.
To discover the heights or to fathom the depths of this grace,
exceeds the power of men or angels; yet the view perhaps may be
enlightened by some of the following reflections.
In purposing and planning the great work of redemption, the Eternal
Mind was self-moved, uncounselled, unsolicited. No angel
interceded or advised; no man by his prayers or tears excited
pity. Before men or angels had existence, the purpose was fixed
and the plan was formed by boundless love, unmoved, unasked, untempted
by any thing without but the foreseen miseries of a perishing
world.
This love was wholly disinterested, having no reward in
view but the pleasure of doing good. What other recompense could
God expect from creatures who have nothing to give but what they
receive? What other reward could eternal self-sufficience need?
This love is still more sublime considered as acting towards
inferiors. When love is not the most pure, we daily see, it
will overlook those who have no eminence to engage respect. On
this account the condescending regard which some benevolent prince
may pay to the poor and forsaken, is peculiarly affecting. What
then shall we say when we behold Infinite Majesty descending to
such tender concern for dust and ashes?
Redeeming love is still more wonderful as exercised towards enemies;
towards those who could reject the offered salvation,—who
were not to be moved by all the entreaties of heaven,—and who
had malice enough to murder the Author of life in the very act
of bringing it to them.
This love appears altogether astonishing when we consider the
greatness of the sacrifice it made. That God himself, (infinite,
eternal, and self-sufficient as he was,) should bring himself
down to a mortal form; that he who made the heavens should descend
from among the adorations of angels to assume the form of a servant
and to receive the spittings of Roman soldiers; that he should
exchange the quiet of eternal repose for a laborious life, the
abodes of inaccessible light for the degrading manger,—the society
of the Father and Spirit for that of illiterate fishermen,—the
heights of infinite bliss for the agonies of Gethsemane and Golgotha;—and
all to atone for abuses which he himself had received from men;
fixes angels in astonishment and rivets their eyes to him who
still bears the prints of the nails and the spear. That this divine
Sufferer did not recede, but remained immovable in his purpose
in a near view of his agonies; that he did not strike and rivet
his insulting murderers to the centre, but spent his expiring
breath in prayer for their life; evinces, not love only, but love
unconquerable.
The extent of redeeming love further appears in the magnitude
of the blessings which it intended for a ruined race. It stooped
to catch a falling world; to snatch them from eternal flames to
the transports of immortal life,—from everlasting contempt to
be "kings and priests" forever "unto God"
—to raise them from the depravity of sin to the purity of the
divine image,—from a dungeon to the radiance of heaven,—from
the society of devils to communion with angels,—from the blasphemies
of hell to the songs of paradise,—from universal destitution
to inherit all riches,—to be sons and heirs of God, members of
the Redeemer's body,—to live in his family and heart, and forever
to expand in the regions of light and life.
This mercy is heightened by the fact that the Saviour is so necessary,
reasonable, and all-sufficient. Intrusted with all
the offices needful for man's redemption, he possesses powers
fully adequate to the infinite work, and exerts them when and
where they are most needed. It is his stated business to strike
off the chains from wretched prisoners,—to administer balm to
those who are wounded to death, food to those who are perishing
with hunger,—eyes and light to the blind and benighted. He is
the "shadow of a great rock in a weary land," — "a
hiding place from the wind and a covert from the tempest."
In his prophetic office he brings out to view the secrets of the
Eternal Mind: as a Priest he pacifies divine wrath by atonement
and intercession: as a King he subdues the stubborn will, marks
out the road to life by salutary precepts, defends from spiritual
enemies, and renders all events subservient to the good of his
people. As Captain of the Lord's host he will carry them through
their warfare and bring them off victorious. As Physician of souls
he will heal all their spiritual maladies and confirm them in
immortal health. He is a most pleasant resting place from the
perturbations of guilt, the vexations of care, and the anguish
of affliction. Possessing inexhaustible life in himself, he is
the source of unfailing life to his members, who before were "dead
in trespasses and sins." As "Heir of all things"
and Distributer of the whole estate, he has every necessary good
to impart in this world and infinite riches in the world to come.
This mercy is still further heightened by the patience and
condescending tenderness which he exercises towards his people.
He calls them his friends, his brethren, his children, his spouse,
the members of his body, the apple of his eye. In the character
of a near and tender relation, he has become a mild medium through
which they may look up into the insufferable splendors of the
Godhead without dazzling or paining their sight. Although the
awful God of majesty, he is not ashamed to own and befriend a
poor race of unsightly outcasts and to take them into union with
himself. With unconquerable patience he bears with all their provocations,
and with unfailing faithfulness remains their friend during all
their perverseness and ingratitude. Though their returns are such
as would weary any other love, he is still engaged in pardoning
their sins, subduing their corruptions, and conducting them to
glory. As a tender shepherd he gathers the lambs in his arms and
carries them in his bosom. And O with what overpowering kindness
does he speak to them when he holds communion with them, when
he meets them in a happy hour as they are walking out like Isaac
to meditate at the evening tide, and drawing aside the veil, shows
the sweetest countenance dressed in celestial smiles; or when
finding them bowed to the earth and drenched in tears, he gently
raises them in his arms, and with more than a mother's tenderness
wipes the sorrows from their cheeks and breathes ineffable consolation
into their spirits. Ye who have known his love, can witness the
ineffable sweetness with which he manifests himself at such seasons.
In his providence he takes care to suffer no real evil to befall
his people, to withhold from them no real good, and to make them
the happier for every event. And when this trying life is past,
he will receive them to his own presence, to a near and ever increasing
union to himself, where love perfect and reciprocal shall hold
immortal reign.
This wondrous mercy is further expressed in the gift of sabbaths
and sacraments, and especially the written word.
When we perceive the breathings of divine love in those precious
Scriptures which were inspired by the Holy Ghost; when the soul
lies at some divine promise, drinking in immortal refreshment,
and filling itself as from some celestial spring, O how rich and
vast does the love of God appear.
Fresh evidences of this love spring up at every review of his
past providence towards the Church. "In all their
affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved
them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them, and he bore
them and carried them all the days of old." The preservation
of Noah in the ark, the call and protection of Abraham, the deliverance
of the Church from Egypt, its support in the wilderness and establishment
in Canaan, the numerous deliverances wrought for Israel, their
restoration from Babylon, the establishment and astonishing growth
of the Christian Church, its protection during the successive
persecutions, and the continued efforts of the Spirit to preserve
and enlarge it, are all monuments of amazing love and faithfulness.
And when we cast our eyes down the slope of ages and behold the
glory of Zion filling all the earth, how do we dance as in fancied
visions and think the bliss too great to be real. And then, when
we open the Scriptures and behold a "Thus saith the Lord"
expressly to confirm our hopes, with what rapturous gratitude
do we make our boast of him; "Lo this is our God, we have
waited for him and he will save us: this is the Lord, we have
waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation."
All these are the more affecting as being marks of distinguishing
love. Redeeming grace passed by the fallen angels to bring
salvation to men. The privileges of Gospel light and ordinances
were taken from the heathen to be given to us. The blessings of
personal holiness and divine communion are conferred on the people
of God while withheld from the rest of the world. Our lives are
continued in a world of hope while millions are called to their
last account. While God was preserving the Hebrew Church and nourishing
it with a Father's care, Edom, Moab, and Ammon were given to the
sword. And while angels sing only of the goodness of the
Lord, the redeemed will shout "grace, grace," and
with higher notes and ecstacies chant the praises of redeeming
love.
The grace of God appears still greater as being abundant and
free for all. The language of divine compassion is, "Ho
every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath
no money, come ye, buy and eat; yea come, buy wine and milk without
money and without price."
Having drawn this outline of the mercies of God, I shall now present
them as motives to holy feelings and practical godliness.
What admiration should possess our minds as we contemplate
this wonderful love of God. Nothing in the universe is so amazing.
Not an angel in heaven but lives in astonishment continually.
And yet it is infinitely greater than ever Gabriel imagined.
As the sublime intellects of the upper world expand, it will appear
more and more amazing to eternity.
And while we wonder let gratitude fill our hearts. Of what
avail is our admiration without our thanks? It would only bring
us to the condition of those who gaze "and wonder and perish."
What are our hearts made of if they can lie under the weight of
all these obligations and be unthankful still? Let us retain a
sense of divine mercies always upon our heart, and not suffer
them, after a transient impression, to pass off into oblivion.
Let not the blessings of former years be forgotten, but let them
frequently be brought in review before us, that we may never cease
to remember how much we owe to our Lord.
To lasting gratitude let lasting love be added. What infinite
beauty and worth belong to Israel's God. And shall we be thankful
for personal favors and not love the benevolence which embraces
the universe? This would be only the contracted gratitude of a
heart that can be engaged by nothing but the loaves and fishes.
Let it be our daily joy that the universe contains such a God,—a
God whose happiness consists in doing good, and who is executing
so vast a plan for the promotion of creature happiness, that he
already realizes infinite blessedness in gratified benevolence.
Let universal joy catch from heart to heart and circulate through
heaven and earth that such a God lives, reigns, and is happy.
Let this be our morning and our evening song. Let it break in
like the dawn of day upon our gloomy hours; and like the sinking
but recovered David, let us be transported with the thought, "But
thou, O Lord, shalt endure forever, and thy remembrance unto all
generations."
To such a God our highest praise belongs. He is the object
of the incessant and rapturous praise of all the choirs of paradise,
and shall men neglect their harps? In the warm transports of David's
heavenly muse, let us invoke the sun and all the orbs of light,
the earth and all the things thereon, the heavens and all their
happy spirits, to praise the Lord,—to praise him in the heights
and in the depths,—to praise him with the voice of song, and
with all the varieties of instrumental harmony.
Let such a God be the supreme object of our faith, our
hope, our confidence. On him let us place our dependance
for every thing we need for time and eternity. Renouncing
this delusive world and every idol which would rival him in our
hearts, let us make him our only point of rest, our only
portion. Let him be the object of our daily and cheerful worship.
Let hypocrisy be banished from our religion, and let sincerity
mark our worship of him whose friendship for man has been
so sincere. Disclaiming all self-seeking, after his disinterested
love to us, let us live only for him; and in duty to one who so
greatly denied himself for us, let us largely practise self-denial.
Henceforth let us consecrate ourselves to the service of
him who served us in death; and by our obedience to all
his commands attest the sincerity of our love and gratitude.
God forbid that we should be ashamed to confess him before
men who was not ashamed to own and befriend us before his Father
and the holy angels; or that we should fail to speak to a listening
world of his excellent greatness and his excellent loving kindness.
It becomes us to imitate his devotedness to the glory of God and
the happiness of men; to put on sincere mercy and kindness, forbearing
one another in love, doing good to all as we have opportunity,
especially to the household of faith; condescending to men of
low degree, meek and gentle to all, affable, courteous, and obliging,
ready to forgive injuries, given to hospitality, and generous
in distributing to the poor the gifts of a generous God.
To the dominion of enthroned love it becomes us to submit;
resigning all our interests to the divine disposal, and enduring
with patience and not with petulance whatever such a God is pleased
to impose.
Against such a God it is that we have been found in arms. O "tell
it not in Gath." Under the weight of all these obligations
we have risen up to oppose unbounded love. Alas we knew not what
we did. In vain might our tears and blood be applied to efface
stains so ignominious and deep. Well may we go softly all our
years in the bitterness of our soul. Let pride never again appear
in natures capable of this. Let humility and brokenness of
heart mark our future lives; and in sympathy with the publican
let us smite on our guilty breasts and cry, "God be merciful
to me a sinner."
And since our crimes are of so deep a die that nothing but atoning
blood can wash them out, and since such infinite pains have been
taken to provide a Saviour for us,—a Saviour every way suited
to our wants; let us gratefully seize the offered salvation
and cast ourselves on him as the only ground of hope. And then,
"though" our "sins be as scarlet they shall be
as white as snow; though they be red like crimson they shall be
as wool."
Ah sinners, how long will you slight such endearing love and reject
such heaven-astonishing mercy? How long shall infinite tenderness
be grieved at your ingratitude? Why will you treat with abuse
that excellence which angels adore? Why will you tread under foot
that love which dissolves all heaven? When will you at length
be wise, and for once, after so long a time, act like ingenuous
creatures? Let the goodness of God lead us all to repentance,
and let us spend our days in making mention of the loving kindnesses
of the Lord, and in preparing to unite with the redeemed in singing,
"Worthy is the lamb that was slain to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing."
No comments:
Post a Comment