The Overwhelming Attribute

Psalm 136:1 (KJV) O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

(Proverbs 6 also read)

If you just glance down this Psalm, one thing that stands out is the final phrase that talks about God’s mercy. It is in every verse. “Mercy” is my favorite Hebrew word. I prefer the translation of “loving kindness”. This is like the statement in John that “God is love.”

Does God have other attributes? Of course. He is not a caricature. He is the living God. Loving kindness is the repeated attribute that governs all the others. Keep in mind that you must not define this with pagan understanding but with a Biblical view.

So? Even though God is holy and righteous, He is essentially a God of love. One does not rule out the other in the culture of heaven.

Motivation

Psalm 116:1 (KJV) I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.

(Proverbs 29 also read)

When I first read this I felt like it was a poor motivation to love the Lord. It seemed a bit selfish and self-centered.

Yet, is that true? Think of the different emotions that are mentioned when it comes to how we relate to almighty God. We have fear. How about petition. I know awe and reverence. Yet it would seem that in the midst of all those responses the one that He really seeks is love. John points this out to us.

1 John 4:8 (KJV) He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

That seems pretty simple. Is He holy? Yes. Is He omnipotent? Without question. But at the basic level, He is love.

So? While we might not be able to relate to omniscience we can certainly know love. Rejoice in the God we serve.

What Is So Special about Zion?

Psalm 87:2 (KJV) The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

(Proverbs 6 also read)

I must confess, I do not know.  I have no grasp of why the Creator of the galaxies should have great affection for a hill in the Middle East.

It can’t be inherent value.  I don’t know of anything about Mount Zion that makes it more worthy than any other mountain.

It must be because He chose it.  It is special because He declared it so, similar to the place of Israel as His special people.  He makes it clear that they were not chosen because they were noble and more deserving.  It may simply be that someplace had to be chosen and this is it.  I remember my first guitar.  Looking back it was just a basic, economy version but it was special in my eyes.  It had, and still has, a name.  It is still living in my brother’s house.  It was special because it was mine.

So?  We are also special.  It isn’t because we are more deserving than Joe Pagan who lives next door.  It is because we are His.  

Modeling Behavior

1 Corinthians 13:4 (KJV) Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

(Proverbs 15 also read)

It’s strange being caught between the witness of the love chapter and the retribution of Jeremiah chapter 9.  Both speak of the nature of our God.  We often hear about how violent the Old Testament is and how God is so full of wrath while Jesus is love.  It’s a phony contrast.  Keep in mind that the Old Testament covers over 1000 years and you are witnessing centuries of God’s patience before He finally acts.  In the New Testament you’re talking about decades.  Patience requires time to be demonstrated.

I actually like the KJV here in the sense that it says that patience means “long suffering”.  God has definitely suffered long.  He endured the disobedience and rebellion of Israel year after year after year.  He sent prophet after prophet.  He pleaded with them.  They went merrily on their way and eventually they paid the price.

God is also patient with us.

So?  Again, I say don’t push your luck.  God is patient.  He has long suffering.  He will give us every benefit of the doubt.  Eventually, we will force him to move.  I pray that He would move in the direction of salvation.  

The Silence of Love

Proverbs 17:9 (KJV) He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

My first reading of this verse would seem to indicate that we seek love by not speaking, by being deceptive.  We don’t tell people about our weak spots.  We don’t criticize their failures.  We set all of our standards in order to be accepted and loved.

That is not what this is saying.

What this is saying is going along with the definition of love that Paul gives us and he starts off with the fact that love is patient, or long suffering.  Or if you take the end of that passage where it says that it does not keep an account of wrong suffered.  The idea is that love does not throw things in people’s face.

So?  Bite the bullet.  Stifle yourself.  Turn the other cheek.  Seek loving relationships.  

Pick a Verse, Any Verse

Psalms 136:5 (KJV) To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.

I am actually reading Psalms in the NASB.  The NASB family of translations make this word “mercy” into “loving kindness”.  In the Hebrew that is chesed.  It’s one of those words that just grabs hold of me and shakes me around every time I think about it.  In this chapter, it is impossible not to think about it because it comes out in every single verse.

This is a recurring theme with me and that’s OK.  It is an important theme or concept.  I rank it right up there with agape from the Greek.  It is a loaded word that is at the center of what we believe.  I prefer the translation of loving kindness.  Part of it may be artistic, but I’m not known as being artistic.  I just like the combination and spread of meaning it has in it.  It isn’t conveyed just the word mercy, although that is powerful.

So?  Take a moment to rejoice in the reality of God’s love and kindness.  Let it be a framework for your attitude today.

Let Me Count the Ways

Psalms 116:1 (KJV) I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.

(Proverbs 1 also read)

We say it in such a cavalier way.  We say it without thinking.  It becomes a mantra, “I love you.”  So easy to say and so rarely do we stop and really think about what it means.  As I was looking at this, and, nodding my head in agreement, I began to ask myself, “Why do I love the Lord?”

Natural, not something we think about.  As often happens, my mind went to my grandchildren.  I love my grandchildren with a passion that I don’t even understand.  Why?  Obviously, they are superior to anybody else’s grandchildren.  You might argue with me on that but I know you are just deluded.  Much of it comes down to the blood relationship.  They are family.

In the same way I think it’s impossible for people who have not become a part of the family of God to really love Him.  They don’t know Him. Their spiritual DNA has not been modified in regeneration.

So?  I could list all the things like you see in this Psalm.  I could wax political.  Anyway you slice it, though, it comes down to the fact that I love the lord.  I can live with that. 

Better Mercy

Psalms 86:15 (KJV) But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

(Proverbs 23 also read)

Notice the word in the KJV, “mercy”.  In the NASB this is translated “loving kindness”.  To me that is much more meaningful and richer than just mercy.  It stands out to me when I see it in the longer word.  The reason I look at it today is because this is the third time it is mentioned in this one Psalm.  David is rejoicing in God, but the thing that he keeps coming back to and mentioning over and over is this, loving kindness.

There are many words to describe God.  We know about His wrath.  We know about His holiness.  We know about His patience, or we should if we’re paying attention.  We need to rejoice in His loving kindness.

So?  It’s always good to just take a moment, and reflect on all of the ways in which God extends his love, and his kindness towards us.  Rejoice. 

Near Death Loving Kindness

Psalms 63:3 (KJV) Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

(Proverbs 20 also read)

OK, I wasn’t near death.  All I was was in the ER trying to figure out why I was out of contact with my sense of balance.  But at my age, you never know when that other shoe will drop and the end will come.  I find great reassurance in the knowledge that even in the midst of a CAT scan or an MRI I am reveling in the loving kindness of God.

Like many small churches, mine has a large number of people who are elderly.  And by that I mean more elderly than I am.  Some people say, “Oh no, just old people”.  I say what a rejoicing atmosphere to see people who are still in love with the Lord, after all those years and all those trials.  Why?  Because they know the love and kindness of God.

So?  You may just have a splinter in your finger.  You may have a major tragedy in your life.  And all those situations just remember how this Psalm was adapted to a song and sing it to yourself, “Thy loving kindness is greater than life,...” 

Buried Non-Treasure

Proverbs 17:9 (KJV) He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

As I read this today, it came to mind how certain people in my life tend to keep bringing up past failures, or imagined past failures.

It’s bad enough when the things that get thrown at you from the past are true.  I think we all know we have failed.  We know that we have not had perfect lives.  There comes a time when we need to get beyond that and move on.  Throwing our old failures at us doesn’t help us at all.

How about when the mud being thrown at you just doesn’t stick to the wall?  I think we all go through this to where we are accused of things that we did not do, attitudes we did not have or thoughts that we didn’t think.  What do we do then?  I guess that puts us in a position where we should be the one seeking love.  Maybe a better way of saying it is expressing love.  Keep in mind that the first word describing love in first Corinthians is patience or long-suffering.

So?  Be the one that demonstrates that kind of behavior God wants.  Sure there will be people that like to throw them out at you, but your place in God’s economy is not to return the favor but to let it lie and move on.

Considering Examples

Psalm 143:12 (KJV) And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.

(Proverbs 3 also read)

One of the words that brings the most joy to my reading is chesed (2617).  My favorite translation of this is “loving kindness.”  Here the KJV has “mercy”.  It’s such a broad word, and has such deep meaning that it warms my heart and put a new shine on the day.

Then I read it in a context like this, and David seems to feel that God’s mercy is going to “cut off” (6789) his “enemies”.  That seems a bit violent and I would assume rightfully so.  How does destroying and cutting off reflect loving kindness?

One of the answers would be, that God has a different attitude towards those who follow him as opposed to those who resist him.  You have God’s people on one side and the rebels on the other.  Just because we talk of Yahweh, as “God is love”, does not mean that love is stupid or unprincipled.

So?  Yes, God is love.  He is also holy, righteous, light, and a God of wrath.  Make a decision, which side of God do you want directed toward you?  Remember, Jesus died on the cross to save sinners, but there will be no mercy for those who die unrepentant. 

Bridge Word

(Psa 118:29 KJV)  O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

This verse has one of my favorite Old Testament words, chesed (2617).  It is often translated “loving kindness”.  Another common one is what we see here in the KJV, the word “mercy”.  I think of this being the Old Testament version of the Greek word agape.  It speaks of the love of God, and his attitude towards us and the rest of creation.

You’re all familiar with first Corinthians 13.  There it talks about how prophecy will go away, tongues will cease, knowledge will be done away.  At the end the chapter talks about faith, hope, and love, and only love will really endure and it’ll be the greatest.

So? When you think of love think of loving kindness, and give it a chance in your life. 

The Threat of Fret

(Pro 24:19 KJV)  Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;

The New American Bible has an interesting way of expressing the first part of this verse,

“Be not provoked with evildoers,...”

The reason this is interesting is because it brought to mind the verse in the Love Chapter which says, “love is not provoked”.  I have always thought of that in the context of people I cared about.  That is where I spend most of my time.  This reminds me that agape is to be expressed to everyone, not just to family.

We are surrounded by a culture that is offensive. I am constantly grinding my teeth at actions of the government and other visible power brokers.  It is easy to wish violence on them.  We are not to be provoked.

So?  This does not mean accept the evil activities.  It means that we are not to get so stoked up that we lose control. 

Love Is Today

(1Co 13:7 KJV)  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

This is a verse in the middle of the Love Chapter that roles off the tongue so fast that I often don’t stop to think about it.  As I was thinking about love not being provoked on another post, my mind went down to this verse.  This speaks about the process of not being provoked.  Notice that this verse begins with bearing all things and ends with enduring all things.  These are two very important aspects of what love is.

We are to love even when others don’t have a clue to what love is.  Love is not romance.  Love is not feelings.  Love is not never having to say you’re sorry.  It is making allowance and desiring the best for everyone involved.

So?  Implement.  Start right now.

Give and Take

(1Co 13:5 KJV)  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

Love is not "provoked" (3947).  The KJV adds “easily”.  I am wondering if the opposite is also true, love does not provoke.  It is all very good to try to be kind and non-abusive.  That does not guarantee that the other person will respond in kind.  In fact, based on human nature, it is possible that your good attitude will encourage them to be even more provoking.

It doesn’t make any difference.  We are not called to respond to people the way they act toward us.  We are to live Christ in front of them even if they reject it and mock you.

So?  We are to set the right example, not follow the wrong one. 

Observation, not Advice

(Pro 21:9 KJV)  It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

It occurred to me as I was reading this that few people would marry someone that met the criteria of being “contentious” (4066).  I said “few” because I am not sure that there are no cases of such a thing.  Most people find themselves in this situation with a bit of surprise.  What happened to the gentle soul they exchanged vows with?  Did the change occur over night or was it an extended metamorphosis?  

What if retreating to a corner of the house isn’t enough?  What if they come looking for you when you are on the front porch?  This is a wonderful observation but doesn’t help much in the real world.  This is where the definition of love comes in.  I am thinking of being long suffering, not being provoked and so forth.  These are the product of the work of the Holy Spirit and grace in our lives.

So?  We cannot expect life to be perfect.  We can expect God to give us the tools to live in victory. 

A Key Definition

(1Jn 4:8 KJV)  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

(Proverbs 13 also read)

 This is a proclamation about God that deserves to be trumpeted more often.  We have a simple statement, repeated in verse 16, that “God” (2316) is “love” (25) [agape].  It is important for us to understand this in order to understand God.  

This is agape love.  It is a special category in the New Testament.  It summarizes all of the attributes of God and gives them a context.  We need to be careful that we do not limit God by having a false understanding of what agape is.  It is not Hollywood love.  It is not warm fuzzy love.  It is not an emotion.  It is a decision.  It is a condition.  It is something that not only helps us understand God but reminds us of the kind of person we are supposed to be.

So?  Spend some time thinking about the Biblical definition of love.  Maybe you could get out a concordance and do a word study.  Be one who knows God because you love. 

In the Spotlight

(Pro 31:31 KJV)  Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

I find it very freeing to accept the understanding that I am not responsible for the choices other people make.  I can influence them.  I can overrule their decisions.  That is common when dealing with children, but what about a spouse.  Here it refers to a man’s wife.  It is wonderful when you live in harmony.  God intended intimacy on all levels.  Sometimes that does not work out.  Sometimes it does.

One of the important principles is to let people shine in their moment.  When your wife, or husband, has a good moment, let them bask in it.  Let the public know and let them respond.

So?  Keep in mind that love is not about you but about others.  Help them rejoice in their special moments.

Children Anyone?

(Pro 30:17 KJV)  The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

This is a verse that causes me pain.  It isn’t my children but the children of other people.  I know them and so do you.  Perhaps you experience it.  The children are often subtle in how they belittle parents.  There are many ways to pat a parent on the head without being obvious.  With the watering down of the Bible in our churches it is getting more and more common for children to be condescending toward their parents’ faith and practice.

It is going to happen.  It may be too late to prevent it but it is never too late to begin changing what contribution you may have made.  Make sure you are genuine and faithful.  Be consistent.  Read I
Corinthians 13 and focus on things like not being provoked.  If may be that their love fails but don’t let yours.

So?  Your kids don’t have to straighten up before you die, just before they do.  Not very uplifting but sometimes it is all we have to cling to. 

Be Not Glad

(Pro 17:5 KJV)  Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
 
I am reading through Proverbs monthly.  I work through Psalms roughly every five months.  I have a constant journey going on reading straight through the Bible.  While that is going on there are always certain passages that keep coming to mind and being referred to.  One of those is the Love Chapter and the part that applies to this is,

(1Co 13:6 KJV)  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

This is both a negative and a positive.  The way I put it together is that I am supposed to want the best for people, even the ones that are on my bad-guy list.

So?  Again there is the idea that it makes a difference how we think and what our attitudes are.  I may be able to keep my actions in line but God sees the heart and reads the mind.  Of course that also involves not making excuses for sin but that is another topic.