Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Abundant Mercies
Today's Verse:
I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. ~Psalm 89:1
Psalm 89 is one of two psalms written about someone who is referred to as an Ezrahite. Psalm 88 was written by Heman and Psalm 89 by Ethan. Both were most likely the sons of a man named Zerah (1 Chronicles 2:6). Both men are said to have been very wise (1 Kings 4:31). Both psalms are Maschil psalms, which means they are teaching psalms. In Psalm 88, we learn that trials are God’s tools in teaching us how to pray. In Psalm 89, we learn that the mercies of the Lord are God’s means of sustaining us. This morning, we see the abundant mercies of the Lord.
We see God’s mercies and our spirituality.
Ethan said that he would sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, and with his mouth he would make know God’s faithfulness to all generations. He was rejoicing always in God’s mercies. God’s mercies are His divine pity, favor, and fatherly love for us. In effect, he was indicating that he cannot say enough about how good God is to him. In addition, he made a determination that he would declare and instruct future generations about God’s mercies. The lesson for us is that we should testify profusely and passionately about the mercies of the Lord.
We see God’s mercies and His servant.
Ethan speaks of God’s mercies in raising up David to be His king and servant for Israel. There was God’s selection of David to be king. There was God’s Spirit upon David as king. There was God’s safety upon David as king. There was God’s success through David as king. In effect, Ethan was saying that God, in His mercy, established David to be the model king in Israel. David was mighty, powerful, and feared because of God’s mercies. Let us remember that whatever success that we have is all attributable to God’s mercies.
We see God’s mercies and His strength.
“O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?” God’s strength prevails in the world. The forces of nature cannot contend with God. The highest mountains are not higher than Him. God can shake the mountains and make them fall asunder by His power. God’s strength prevails against the wicked. The vilest foes are no match against God. The kings of the earth may rage and blaspheme, but God is stronger than them all. Look at what happened to kings like Pharaoh, the kings of Canaan, Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, and Herod. We see men who despised God’s mercies and were overcome by His justice. God’s strength should never be underestimated. It is because of His mercies that we are not destroyed!
We see God’s mercies and our sin.
God is holy and just. Sin cannot be allowed into His presence. In His justice, God should sorely and severely punish our sin. Yet, in His mercy, He is longsuffering toward us. "Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail." It is because of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed. Do not despise the chastening of the Lord. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.”
We see God’s mercies and our shortfalls.
Remember how short your time is: “Wherefore hast thou made all men in vain? What man is he that lived, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.” In spite of our failures, God is always merciful. He knows that our frame is but dust. He knows that we do not have much time in this life. He knows our frail being and propensity to fall short. However, He remembers us, sustains us, and gives us another opportunity to glorify Him.
We see the abundant mercies of God. These mercies move us to worship. These mercies move us to work hard. Like Ethan, sing of the mercies of God forever!
Have a mercy-enriched God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Job 11-13
Comments