Part one of our meditation covered verses 1-5. We see GOD as
the Fountain of good things – GOD as Savior, Healer, Redeemer, and Provider.
GOD is also our Advocate and Judge who works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed" – verse 6
Often when innocent individuals suffer an injustice, the
victim and others ask with bitterness and anger, “Where was GOD, when…?” At
such times it is very difficult, if not impossible, to make the case that GOD
was right there when we can’t explain satisfactorily why He didn’t intervene to
stop the suffering.
But GOD is always there, and in His WORD He vows that the
wicked will not go unpunished (Proverbs
21:11, Isaiah 13:11.) GOD always avenges wrongdoing against the innocent (Romans 12:10), and it is far beyond
what the world can apply. Scripture tells us that “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:31. GOD’s justice might be
slow by the world’s standards but it is sure.
GOD’s justice is also an eternal justice but in the here and
now He works through the Body of CHRIST to provide aid and relief to the
oppressed and victimized.
He reminds believers to continue to seek truth from his WORD
– to not be dismayed by the wickedness and injustice we see everywhere but
believe that He is Sovereign. What we don’t understand in this life we will in
the next and we can trust GOD to fulfill His promises. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial…that person will receive
the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12.
The children of GOD ought to remain steadfast, not grow
weary, and persevere in service with the compassion of CHRIST on the Father’s
behalf. And like CHRIST, we forgive those who hurt us.
"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love" – verse 8
Our GOD in His Sovereignty, does exactly what pleases Him
and so He is often gracious and merciful to those we may not think deserve it. To
think about it, all of mankind, believers included, deserve GOD’s divine wrath
to the fullest extent. Yet, He gives us time to repent and become new creatures
through CHRIST’s atoning work on the cross.
However, there will be a
day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly (2 Peter 3:7) but because patience and mercy are among GOD’s
attributes, He withholds wrath, not
wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). GOD’s preference is to extend
grace, abundant love, and forgiveness.
GOD is prepared to forgive repeatedly since, "He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust" – verse 14
Paul, the chosen Apostle of JESUS CHRIST and the author of
two-thirds of the New Testament Bible, had this to say about his own struggle
with sin, “I don't really understand
myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I
hate.” Romans 7:15.
We are innately evil creatures – Scripture says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and
desperately sick; who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9. We don’t know
the extent of our own capacity for depravity, but our Creator does. GOD knows
us better than we do ourselves and He has taken control.
GOD knows the exact number of years, days, hours and seconds
that we will occupy on Earth and the exact moment we will die. For our journey here
on earth GOD infuses us with His strength, righteousness through CHRIST, and the
power of the Holy Spirit. Without these supernatural gifts, we could not fulfill
our potential as children of GOD.
The Apostle Paul knew this about his own journey. He
confessed to being a wretched man incapable
of doing right on his own and expressed heartfelt gratitude for GOD’s continuing
deliverance and daily intervention in his life: Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:24-25.
Psalm 103 does not come close to covering all GOD’s benefits to His children and creation as a whole – they are too numerous to list in any one place.
What this Psalm does is remind us that there are benefits to
being loved by GOD and loving Him in return; that we ought always to remember
this fact and praise GOD from the depths of our souls for it.
All that we
receive from the Father come with a measure of satisfaction that far outstrips what
the world could ever offer – there is no earthly thing by which we could compare
GOD’s care for us.
The Psalmist became so enthused and enraptured by it all
that at the end he invites all of GOD’s creation to join him in praise –
angels, the heavenly hosts, and all His
works, in all places of his dominion. Verses 20-22
Bless the LORD, O my soul!!
Prayer and Thanksgiving:
Our LORD and our GOD. YOU are the
perfect Father whose care for YOUR own is without equal. We are so very grateful
that although YOU are of purer eyes than
to see evil and cannot look at wrong, yet YOU are patient and longsuffering
and continue to hold back the wrath we deserve and wait for us to accept YOUR
offer of salvation and fully enjoy all of its wonderful benefits. We know
Father that a day of judgement will come and we pray, in the NAME of JESUS that
any who are still holding to the world’s deceptions will turn away and heed
JESUS’ call to the weary and thirsty to come to HIM and be satisfied for all
eternity. YOU have made the way, the work is finished at the cross, we have but
to believe and receive, walk in the newness of life and know fully the width
and length and height and depth of YOUR love so that we will always praise YOU,
and honor YOUR SON, in whose NAME we pray. Amen!
Always by God’s Word and prayer,
Cecile
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