Thy mercy, my God, is the theme
of my song. The Lord arranged the circumstances
which prevailed at His first coming into the earth, just as
He has ordained the circumstances which will surround His return
to the earth, in order to manifest His ownership of that possession
which He has purchased with His own blood. Thus we see Him draw
a clear distinction between that which is carnal and that which
is spiritual, by using the Pharisees and their understanding of the
kingdom of God as an illustration of the sharp contrast to that
kingdom which He came to establish. The kingdom of God cometh not
with observation. They were convinced that the
deliverer of Israel would come in some glorious fashion, conquering
her carnal oppressors and in the process exalting them to
some higher station. Little did they know that he
would manifest the redemption of his people by and through
suffering and self-denial, and that he would establish his kingdom
among the poor, the haught, the lame, and the blind. He taught
his disciples the true nature of his kingdom and those who
would have a part in it. Verily I say unto you, except
ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not
enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble
himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom
of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name,
receiveth me. The kingdom of God has a beauty
which is all its own. There is nothing about it which
in any wise appeals to the flesh, but rather is at odds with it.
Man in his fleshly nature rebels against every precept of the
kingdom of God. There is a way which seemeth
right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
In his fleshly nature man is in rebellion against that kingdom,
because he is in rebellion against its king, despising his authority
and desiring to run contrary to his precepts. Paul, in writing
to the Ephesians, describes the very thought process and desire
of the natural man, as he reminds them of their former condition,
contrasted with the results of the new birth. And you hath he
quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins, wherein in time past
ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the
prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in
the children of disobedience. In a demonstration of his general
mercy towards his creation, the Lord has placed restraints upon
the absolute wickedness of men and does in various measures
cause them to embrace certain forms of morality and societal
order. Yet men do not by nature love
these restraints. He will pursue a path to his
own destruction unless kept from it. By contrast, the Lord displays
His particular mercy to that people whom He has loved as He
promises to bring them unto Himself, delivering them from the darkness
which they have already embraced. And I will bring the blind by
a way that they knew not. I will lead them in paths that
they have not known. I will make darkness light before
them and crooked things straight. Thus the purpose of God for the
creation of the earth is manifested. He delights in them, and they
in turn delight in Him, and rejoice in this city of the great King.
The psalmist praises the greatness of the Lord as he declares the
wonders of the redemption which His hands have procured for those
whom He is pleased to make His recipients. For it is in this
city wherein he is worshipped, in the city of our God, in the
mountain of his holiness. This mountain cannot be located
by natural reckoning, but appears quite clearly to those who have
been privileged to dwell in the shadow of its lofty heights.
Sing praises to the Lord which dwelleth in Zion. Declare among
the people his doings. Lord, I have loved the habitation
of thy house and the place where thine honor dwelleth. Just as
Mount Zion in David's Jerusalem was situated in a most scenic
and lovely setting, so too is the true Mount Zion situated
in Christ, who sits at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
What better place for her than hidden in the Savior's side?
Is it any wonder that the Spirit of God moved the psalmist to
write, Beautiful for Situation? The Lord does magnify the glory
of His grace, as He puts His bride on display as the marriage
of the Lamb has come. But God, who is rich in mercy
for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were
dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by grace
you are saved, and hath raised us up together and made us sit
together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. that in the ages
to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness
toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are you saved through
faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of
works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created
in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained
that we should walk in them. This is the joy of the whole
earth. Do you rejoice in Christ? For a free CD containing 15 of
these radio broadcasts, send an email to forthepoor at windstream.net.