The men of this world think that
God is somehow obligated to do good unto them, and often grow
angry or at the least impatient when events and circumstances
do not turn out as they wish. What folly it is for men to consider
that God is in any way bound to provide anything at all for
His creation. If he was pleased to create the
world just for the purpose of causing misery to its inhabitants,
who could bring a railing accusation against him or charge him with
injustice? Hath not the potter power over
the clay? David understood that any blessings which came to men
must of necessity arise out of the mercy and grace of God, without
regard to any merit on the part of men. When I consider the heavens,
the work of thy fingers, the moon, and the stars which thou
hast ordained, what is man that thou art mindful of him, and
the Son of man that thou visitest him? It is with this understanding
that we are made to stand in awe of the benefits which God,
in His abundant mercy, has seen fit to unfold to His children
in the sight of all of the sons of men. We stood worthy of nothing
but destruction, yet we are made to cry out, Blessed be the Lord,
who daily loatheth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.
Selah. What are the benefits of God
which He has manifested to His children? Number one, the forgiveness
of sin. Who forgiveth all thine iniquities?
God alone can forgive sin, since all sin is against Him, even
as David testified. Number two, the healing of our
disease. Who healeth all thy diseases? Carnal men are concerned
with the healing of their carnal bodies, but that man who is spiritual
desires to be healed of that disease of sin which eats at
his vitals. A man may be healed of every
carnal disease and yet suffer destruction, but those who are
healed from sin shall live forever. God is our great physician. 3.
Redemption from the just condemnation of the law, who redeemeth thy
life from destruction. Though the sons of God were never
appointed under wrath, they were subjected to the law in order
that the Lord might demonstrate His grace and mercy in redeeming
them from that condemnation and destruction which they showed
themselves to be worthy of. He would be both just and the
justifier of his elect sons, and has bought them back from
the slavery into which they willingly sold themselves. The ultimate
manifestation of this redemption is the resurrection of the body.
Number four, blessing beyond compare. Who crowneth thee with
loving kindness and tender mercies? We are made to sing with the
hymn writer of old. Thy mercy, my God, is the theme
of my song, the joy of my heart, and the boast of my tongue. Number
five, strength for the journey. Who satisfies thy mouth with
good things so that thy youth is renewed like the eagles. The
sons of God stand in need of nothing which Christ does not
provide. Number six, help for the needy.
The Lord executes righteousness and judgment for all that are
oppressed. The Lord Jesus said, blessed are they that mourn for
they shall be comforted. He befriends the fatherless and
widows and defends them against all of their enemies. Number
seven, patience, and long-suffering. The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. Even as the prophet
testified, it is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed,
because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning.
Great is Thy faithfulness. 8. He does not give us what we
deserve. He hath not dealt with us after
our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. Religious
men consider that they will be rewarded for their good deeds.
Spiritually minded men know that they are but unprofitable servants
at best, and are ever thankful that God blesses His children
according to grace, and not merit, lest they should perish. 9. He has removed our sin, blotting
it out in the blood of Christ. As far as the East is from the
West, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us. Our
sin can never be brought up again against us to condemnation by
any accuser. For Jesus Christ has taken away
all grounds upon which our sin could ever destroy us. For he
hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin, that we might
be made the righteousness of God in him. He pities those who
tremble before him. Like as a father pitieth his
children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. The children
of God, who are acquainted with him, fall upon their faces in
reverence at the mention of his name, knowing that he is a consuming
fire. Yet he is of such tender compassion
to those that fear him, that he will not break the bruised
reed nor quench the smoking flax. For we have not a high priest
which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities,
but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that
we might obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Have you known his benefits? If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, email us at forthepoor at windstream.net.