FEBRUARY 28, 2023 

 “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.” (Psalm 103:13)

Psalm 103, “A Psalm of David.” Of this, there can be no doubt, for it is in his own style when at its best, and we should attribute it to his later years. He is looking back over a long and full life that was blessed throughout with mercies rich and abundant (Verses 1-5). He blesses God for mercies shown, not to himself alone, but to all of His oppressed people (Verses 6-14). The Psalmist praises God for His unfailing and constant mercies to the righteous who fear the Lord and walk in His ways (Verses 15-18). He closes the Psalm with a call for heaven and earth and all of creation to join in universal praise to the sovereign and gracious Lord of all (Verses 19-22).

Verse 13, which we will be considering today, is dealing with the mercy He shows everyone, generally, and fatherly compassion, specifically. It is important to note that the word “fear” is not a negative word here, or in any of the other instances it is used. Fear does not mean being scared, instead, it means respect. Essentially this verse is saying, like a father has compassion on his children, so also God has compassion on those who respect or revere Him. We respect God’s power. We respect God’s judgments. We respect God’s wisdom. We respect that God is in control. God will have compassion on those who respect Him.

A favorite seminary professor of mine, Pastor Nichols, says that if you want to know the will of God (or as much as we can understand of it), we need to look back at what God has done in history. Based on that, I have gathered three examples of fatherly compassion shown by God to His children who fear Him. The first of these is Noah in Genesis chapters 6-9. Of Noah, we read that he was a just man, perfect in his generations, and he walked with God. As well, we see that God saved Noah from the flood because he found grace in the eyes of the Lord, and that he was a preacher of righteousness. Noah’s obedient faith was his defining characteristic, and God showed him compassion because of that. We also have the story of Lot in Sodom, where because of his faith; God spared him from the destruction of the city. Finally, we have the example of Rahab from Jericho. Because of her great respect for God and her reverence for what He did to deliver Israel from Egypt, she hid the spies from the officials of the city and was thus spared when it was destroyed. Rahab’s faith was her defining characteristic as well, and she was shown God’s compassion because of it.

Of the many examples that might be given, perhaps chief among them is the penman of this Psalm. This is the same David that fought Goliath, survived countless attempts on his life, and was even hunted by his father-in-law. But he had experienced God’s compassion himself. The assurance with which David writes this Psalm should be the same for all of us. As David wrote in this psalm, God has compassion on those who fear him. Just like Lot, or Rahab, or Noah, we also live in a place that deserves judgment; righteous judgment. But, because of God’s fatherly compassion, He sent His Son to live a perfect life and die for us. All we need to do is to place our faith in the Son of God, Who loved us and gave Himself for us.

FEBRUARY 23, 2023 

 “So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” (John 8:7)

At the start of this chapter, Jesus had come to the Mount of Olives. The next morning, He came from there to Jerusalem and entered the Temple. In a vain attempt to catch Jesus doing wrong, the Pharisees present a young woman to Him. This woman was caught committing an adulterous act and according to the Law of Moses, she should be put to death.

Jesus’ critics were constantly trying to pit Christ against the Law of Moses, and somehow trick Him into making some kind of mistake. In response to this particular attempt, Jesus stoops down and begins writing in the sand. While doing this, the men continue to press the issue, repeatedly asking Jesus what He plans to do about this woman caught in sin.

The trap laid by the Pharisees seems to present Jesus with a dilemma. The law does call for death for adulterers. However, Roman law prohibits Jewish leaders from using the death penalty. He seems to be stuck between angering Rome, alienating His followers, and overtly defying the very Scriptures He has preached.

As always, though, Jesus’ response cuts through the trap. His writing in the dirt is mentioned twice in the chapter (8:6, 8). While we never find out what He was writing, the repeated mention suggests that whatever He wrote was a deliberate part of His response. Maybe He wrote relevant Old Testament verses, or the names and sins of some of those present. We cannot be sure, but we can be sure of how the crowd reacts. When He finally speaks, Jesus points out one of the areas where His critics are themselves falling short of the Law.

Jesus points out that the Scribes and Pharisees are not actually interested in following the law. If they were, they’d at least follow the entire law, and not merely use it as a cheap publicity stunt. A complete submission to God means recognizing that you are not perfect. Many use this verse as a way to excuse all sin in the world, because why be upset over sin if you do it too? That is wrong. Instead, it’s a call to work on yourself before judging others. It’s a reminder that you need to work on yourself first. Similar to being on a plane, you are instructed to put on your own mask first before helping others. Worry about yourself before worrying about others. We must live our lives in a Biblical manner; striving to be as holy as we can and leaving judgment to the One that is perfectly holy.

FEBRUARY 16, 2023 

 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Gal. 6:7)

Whether or not I will sow today is not a question to be decided. The only question to be decided is: What kind of seed will I sow; shall it be good seed or bad? Every person is always sowing for his own harvest. Accordingly, as a man sows, so shall he expect to reap? He that sows the wind of vanity shall reap the whirlwind of wrath. (Hos. 8:7) In the words of Thomas Carlyle, “Cast forth thy act, thy word, into the ever-living, ever-working universe: it is a seed-grain that cannot die: unnoticed today, it will be found flourishing as a Banyan grove (perhaps, alas! As a Hemlock forest) after a thousand years.”

God is not mocked, and therefore He is not to be trifled with. They that would mock God mock themselves instead. Notice, the verse does not say, “God should not be mocked,” but rather, that He “is not mocked.” Let us, therefore, understand that the laws of His government cannot be set aside. It is so in nature. God’s laws are inexorable. Gravitation crushes him who opposes it. So is it also in providence, that evil results surely follow social wrong. Our conscience tells us that it must be so; sin must be punished. The word of God is very clear about this necessity. To alter the laws would disarrange the universe, and destroy the foundation of the hope of the righteous.

It is an inexorable law that “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Evil sowing will bring evil reaping. “He that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption.” (Vs. 8a) This is seen in the present results of certain sins. Sins of lust can disease the body. Sins of idolatry have often led men to cruel and degrading practice. Sins of temper have caused murders, wars, strife, and misery. Sins of indulgence have caused many societal hardships and miseries. The worst part of the present harvest is a precursor to the greater harvest as the sinner becomes more and more hardened against repentance and the more obnoxious to God. Men do not set out on purpose to cast themselves away, but sin is eminently deceitful, and will ultimately cost the sinner his soul.

There is another kind of sowing of which the harvest shall be glorious and abundant. “He that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” (Vs. 8b) Good sowing will bring good reaping. The rule holds good both ways. Notice, this sowing is done “to the Spirit,” and its reaping is “of the Spirit.”This sowing is done under the guidance and influence of the Holy Spirit. This good sowing is also “to the Spirit” in that, its motives and aim is God’s glory. “He that soweth to the Spirit.” Toward God, we sow in the Spirit faith and obedience. Toward men, we sow in the Spirit love, truth, justice, kindness, and forbearance. Toward self, we sow self-control, purity, etc. In both Greek and Hebrew, the word for wind and spirit are the same. Jesus said, “The wind bloweth where it listeth.” Then he said, “…so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8) In this seedtime, those who are led by the Holy Spirit will walk and minister as Christ did. Let us sow good seed always. Let us sow it plentifully, that we may reap abundantly. Hosea said, “Sow to yourself in righteousness, reap in mercy.” For those who sow to the Spirit, what is the reaping of the Spirit? It is life everlasting. “He that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”

FEBRUARY 14, 2023 

“While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.” (Mark 5:35-36)

The report that Jarius had brought to Jesus about his daughter when he had first implored Him was that she was at the point of death. It was a hopeless situation, but Jarius had come with hope in Christ. He had seen Jesus and had asked him earnestly to save his daughter. Jesus did not turn him away, but agreed to go with him. The response of Jesus in immediately going with him would have been a great sense of relief if you could imagine. Not only did the Lord hear his plea, but He agreed to go. With what this man has heard about Jesus, it would’ve been a great relief when he had seen that Jesus heard his plea and immediately agreed to go with him. A spark of hope was ignited when Jesus began to walk with him.

But that hope was confronted whenever some had come from Jarius’ house and had told him, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?” Immediately, this report attacked the hope that the man had. He had hoped that his daughter would be healed. Jesus responded by agreeing to go with him and he had known that Jesus had healed many. But now the report is that his daughter is dead and, therefore, he shouldn’t bother Jesus any longer. While there was some hope for him for his daughter because she was alive, the report comes back and declares loudly that there is no hope because she is now dead.

But this was not simply an affront to the hope he had in his daughter being healed, this was an attack on Christ. Jesus had agreed to go and to heal his daughter. While the man had hope that his daughter would be healed, he came to Jesus as his only hope for her being healed. But the report comes and takes his eyes off of Jesus. The enemy comes and fixes the eyes of Jarius upon the hopeless situation. “She is dead!” The weight of this situation for man, in whom all things are impossible, was of the greatest weight. You could imagine the thoughts that could’ve been lifted up in his mind. “Only if Jesus did not take His time to heal that lady, He would’ve been able to heal my daughter,” or maybe, “In taking his time, Jesus had forgotten me and my daughter.” The thoughts that waged war against Christ could have been many in this situation, for this report that was brought from Jarius’ house was a direct affront against Christ. It sought to remove the eyes of the man off of Christ and to fix them upon the hopeless situation.

But now, we must look keenly upon the response of Jesus. He declared unto the man, “Do not fear. Only believe.” So gently, Jesus takes the eyes of the man off of the hopeless situation and fixes his eyes back upon his only hope. He takes his eyes off of the report and causes him to hear the word of God. What is impossible with man is possible with God and it is God Incarnate who stands before him. He came to Christ and Jesus had agreed to go with him to heal his daughter. What God promises to do, He will do. Regardless of how bleak the situation is, the Lord is faithful to His promises. His promises are not dependent upon the situation, but are founded upon His own will. So, He tells the man to not fear, only believe.

Although the report comes back to us from our own house, and we hear those weighty words, “She is dead, why bother the teacher any longer?” the word of God triumphs over our current situation. Even as it is written of Abraham: “And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God.” (Romans 4:19-20) Although our bodies are as good as dead, the promises of God are yes and amen! Jesus rose from the grave and we rose with Him. The Son was condemned and He has made us righteous. The Son died and He has given us everlasting life. He was made to be sin on that cross and He has made us sons of God in His ascension.

The deceiver always comes and seeks to fix our eyes upon hopelessness, but the Spirit of God always reminds us of our eternal hope in Christ. The deceiver comes and seeks to take our eyes off of Christ, but the Spirit of God always comes bearing witness of Christ. Those who come to Jesus, He never turns away. All who call upon His name shall be saved. He never leaves us nor forsakes us. Let us keenly fix our eyes upon Jesus Christ and not the reports that come our way. Let us not look to what is seen, but let us look to what is seen only by our eyes of faith!