Pursued by God's goodness and mercy

November 20, 2015

Worship: Thy Mercy, My God, Is the Theme of My Song by John Stocker

TEXT:

John Stocker

MUSIC:

Sandra McCracken

Thy mercy, my God, is the theme of my song,
The joy of my heart. and the boast of my tongue;
Thy free grace alone, from the first to the last,
Hath won my affections, and bound my soul fast.

Without Thy sweet mercy I could not live here;
Sin would reduce me to utter despair;
But, through Thy free goodness, my spirits revive,
And He that first made me still keeps me alive.

Thy mercy is more than a match for my heart,
Which wonders to feel its own hardness depart;
Dissolved by Thy goodness, I fall to the ground,
And weep to the praise of the mercy I’ve found.

Great Father of mercies, Thy goodness I own,
And the covenant love of Thy crucified Son;
All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine
Seals mercy, and pardon, and righteousness mine. 

All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine
Seals mercy, and pardon, and righteousness mine.

©2001 Same Old Dress Music (ASCAP).

Lyrics and reflections on the lyrics by Sarah McCracken:  http://hymnbook.igracemusic.com/hymns/thy-mercy-my-god

Video:  https://youtu.be/vUEgqGNFiMs

Witness: Thy mercy, my God is the theme of my song. These words arrested my attention. I was searching for a song to worship tonight according to the theme of Psalm 23:6. I first came across a video by someone who said they weren’t sure who was singing this song they used for their video. They thought it was Sarah McCracken. I listened to the words and thought, “these words are deep and theologically rich. They don’t sound like they were written by someone writing songs today.” With a little searching, I found a video with Sarah McCracken singing this song. I then looked up the lyrics and found the link referenced above, which said that the words were originally penned by John Stocker in 1776, and it all made sense. Sarah shares how she discovered the song and created a new tune for it. She also shares some reflection on the song as well.

The hymns of that era were rich and deep theologically. I am not saying that there are not some theologically rich songs sung today, nor am I demeaning songs written today as if they are inferior (that can be said of some new as well as some old ones). I am saying that we need to revisit the hymns and learn from them. Recast them with a new tune if necessary, we will be the richer spiritually for it. However, our taste in music style should not keep us from singing the old hymns. I recently read something written online saying they liked hip-hop, but couldn’t find any Christian music today singing in that style (maybe because that genre in Christian music retired when DC Talk disbandedJ). I thought, this person is really limiting themselves by getting stuck in the rut of style over substance. Let us worship with the view of listening to what we are singing rather than the mode in which it is delivered. After all, if the style of music was that important to God, I believe He would have included the music score to each Psalm, yet He left us only the words, He left the music to which they may be sung up to his people (within of course the parameters of decency).

WORD:

Ps 23:5-6 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. NIV

Ps 23:5-6 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. KJV

How do God’s goodness and mercy pursue us? My thoughts are racing with the implications of this. Certainly, it refers to, as the Expositor’s Bible Commentary puts it:

The psalmist expresses deep confidence in God’s loyalty. Instead of being pursued by enemies who seek His destruction, God’s ‘goodness and love’ follow Him. He need not fear, because God’s care will always manifest itself in His provisions, abundance, and protection. His loving care follows him throughout life. 

http://www.biblestudymanuals.net/psalm23.htm

Clarke says:

God never leaves his true followers; providential mercies, gracious influences, and miraculous interferences, shall never be wanting when they are necessary.

(from Adam Clarke’s Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1996, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

In terms of protection “goodness and Mercy” have my back. In terms of provision they provide wisely what I need. I also believe there is an inkling of the thought of correction here as well. In pursuing us through life we are bound to fall down. God’s goodness and mercy are there to pick us up and show us the right path to take. Notice it says, “all the days of my life”. David cannot think of a time when God did not pursue him. From birth to grave, God in His mercy and grace pursues the good of those He foreknew from eternity. Wiersbe points out that the phrase “goodness and mercy” is the Old Testament version of Romans 8:28:

In spite of his sins and failures, he had been followed by goodness and mercy, which is the Old Testament equivalent of Rom 8:28.

(from The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament © 2001-2004 by Warren W. Wiersbe. All rights reserved.)

I would suggest that this verse is the equivalent not only of Romans 8: 28 but of 29 - 39

Rom 8:28-39

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died — more than that, who was raised to life — is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;

we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

NIV

Goodness and Mercy have a Name

I encourage you to click the link to the video for the song of worship. Shane & Shane include an excerpt from a sermon by John Piper on suffering that is very powerful and edifying.

Journal Entry from

November 18, 2015

Worship: Psalm 23 (Surely Goodness & Mercy) by Shane & Shane

Psalms 23 (The Lord is my Sheppard)

Verse: 

The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want 

In green pastures He makes me lie down

He restores my soul and leads me on for His Name

For His Great Name

Chorus:

Surely goodness surely mercy

Right beside me all my days

And I will dwell in Your house forever

And bless Your Holy Name 

Verse:

You prepare a table right before me

In the presence of my enemies 

Though the arrow flies and the terror of night is at my door

I'll trust you Lord 

(Chorus)

Surely goodness surely mercy

Right beside me all my days

And I will dwell in Your house forever

And bless Your Holy Name 

Bridge:

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death 

I will fear no evil 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death 

You are on my side (2X)

(Chorus)

Surely goodness surely mercy

Right beside me all my days

And I will dwell in Your house forever

And bless Your Holy Name 

Lyrics: https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/s/shane_shane/psalm_23_crd.htm

video:  https://youtu.be/gxLlpViTcic

Witness:

I sat and sat trying to think of something to say. That’s when the song “Forever” by Keri Jobe started playing. Near the end of the song, a poem is recited by its author Isaac Wimberly. I decided that I would share it with you. I hope it blesses and lifts your spirit to praise our Awesome God with words, though way too inadequate, are acceptable to God from those whose hearts are humble and sincere.

“The Word”

If there are words for Him, then I don’t have them

You see, my brain has not yet reached a point
Where it could form a thought
That could adequately describe the greatness of my God

And my lungs have not yet developed the ability
To release a breath with enough agility
To breathe out the greatness of His love

And my voice, my voice is so inhibited
Restrained by human limits
That it’s hard to even send a praise up

If there are words for Him, then I don’t have them

My God

His grace is remarkable
Mercies are innumerable
Strength is impenetrable

He is honorable, accountable, and favorable
Unsearchable yet knowable
Indefinable yet approachable
Indescribable yet personal

He is beyond comprehension
Further than imagination
Constant through generations
King of every nation

But
If there are words for Him then I don’t have them

You see my words are few
And to try and capture the one TRUE God
Using my vocabulary will never do

But I use my words as an expression
An expression of worship to a Savior
A Savior who is both worthy and deserving of my praise

So I use words

My heart extols the Lord
Blesses His name forever
He has won my heart, captured my mind
And has bound them both together

He has defeated me in my rebellion
Conquered me in my sin
He has welcomed me into His presence
Completely invited me in

He has made Himself the object of my sight
Flooding me with mercies in the morning
Drowning me with grace in the night

But
If there are words for Him, then I don’t have them

But what I do have… Is Good News
For my God knew that man-made words would never do
For words are just tools that we use
To point to the Truth
So He sent his son Jesus Christ as THE WORD
Living proof

He is the image of the invisible God
The firstborn of all creation
For by Him all things were created
Giving nothingness formation

And by His word He sustains, in the power of His name
For He is before all things and over all things He reigns
HOLY IS HIS NAME!!

Praise Him for His life
The way He persevered in strife
The humble Son of God becoming the perfect sacrifice

Praise Him for His death
That He willingly stood in our place
That He lovingly endured the grave
That He battled our enemy
And on the third day rose in victory

Praise Him because He rose!!
Hallelujah, He rose!!
He is everything that was promised

Praise Him as the risen King
Lift your voice and sing
For one day He will return for us and we will finally be
United with our Savior for eternity

So it’s not just words that I proclaim
For my words point to the WORD
And the WORD has a name
Hope has a name
Joy as a name
Peace has a name
Love has a name
And that name is Jesus Christ
Praise His name FOREVER!

WORD:

Ps 23:5-6 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. NIV

Ps 23:5-6 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. KJV

Hope has a name. Joy has a name. Peace has a name. Love has a name. May I suggest that “goodness” has a name. “Mercy” has a name. A name… the name above all names… JESUS!

I will praise His name forever because I will dwell in His house forever.

Notice the word “follow”. These attributes of God - fully displayed in our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ(John 1:18; 1`4:9) - are personified and viewed as following the psalmist and all of God’s saints. What does this word mean? One resource declares confidently:

The verb translated follow means “to accompany,” “to go with”; it should not be given the meaning of “to pursue, to run after.”

(from UBS Old Testament Handbook Series. Copyright © 1978-2004 by United Bible Societies. All rights reserved.)

However, another resource says:

Goodness and mercy will not simply follow, but will pursue him. The verb used here (Heb radap) is used elsewhere in a predominantly hostile sense. That it is given a benevolent sense here makes its usage even more striking

Hindson, E. E., & Kroll, W. M. (Eds.). (1994). KJV Bible Commentary (p. 1012). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

To pursue or not to pursue. That is the question. Strongs says this about this word:

OT:7291

OT:7291   radaph (raw-daf’); a primitive root; to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by):

KJV – chase, put to flight, follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute (-ion, -or), pursue (-r).

(Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’s Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Vines says:

            PURSUE  radap OT:7291, “to pursue, follow after, pass away, persecute.”

(from Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

Another Hebrew resource says similar things about this word. Thus, I must conclude that there is a sense of, not only accompaniment but literally, of pursuit. But what does that mean? In what way do these pursue us? I will finish this line of thought tomorrow. 

I can wallow in worry... or I can worship!

Journal entry from:

November 17, 2015

Worship: Shepherd’s Song (God With Us)

On a cold cold night
So long ago
The skies rolled back
What a sight to behold
When an angel appears
To the shepherds and spoke 

Glory… 

As they trembled with fear he said don’t be afraid

Oh, I come with GOOD NEWS. The savior is born on this day,

And it echoed like thunder, as every Angel's voice sang
Glory… Glory…

They sing Glory to God in the Highest
Hope and redemption have come

They sing Glory to God in the Highest

Emmanuel God with us

And from that night till now that joyous refrain
Oh it grows stronger still in the hearts of the saints
And it cannot be silenced oh we loudly proclaim

GLORY... GLORY…

We sing Glory to God in the Highest
Hope and redemption have come

We sing Glory to God in the Highest
Emmanuel God with us

Lyric source: http://www.songlyrics.com/hearts-of-saints/the-shepherds-song-lyrics/

Video: https://youtu.be/j8wlM8Zsovw

Witness: A Christmas song already, you ask? Perhaps it has to do with how I felt today as time went on. It started out well with having lunch with my daughter Deborah and Tea my son-in-law. After that, I cleaned the kitchen and went through all my mail that had been piling up. I even ordered a gift for my wife online for her birthday. That proved to be more troubling than I thought it would be. By the time I sat down to my quiet time, I was feeling very tired and frustrated and melancholic. God was feeling far off. Finding a song has seemed challenging lately as well, which only added to the stress level. I typed in the phrase “Shepherd Songs” into the YouTube search box. “Shepherd’s Song” was one of the first songs listed so I thought I would give it a try. I almost clicked the back arrow to return to my search results and pick another song, when I realized it was a Christmas song. However, the tune was catchy and I thought, “Well, I should just watch it and make note of it for later use at Christmas.” I’m glad I did, because this simple song reminded me again, as we have to be reminded every day, that my Shepherd is with me. His name is Immanuel, God with us. That the approaching season, as well as every day, is about what God has and is doing. Even more than that, it is about Him, not me.  “I can wallow in worry and self-pity and take my focus off of Him (which is a form of idolatry), or I can worship Him, work for His glory, and walk with Him Who is ever with me!

WORD:

Ps 23:5-6 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. NIV

Ps 23:5-6 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. KJV

Yesterday I had nothing to share in the witness section when I entered into that portion of my journaling. Nothing, I say until Immanuel came and filled it. For some, the WORD section may have seemed a little long and dry, because I was quoting a reference work. I hope that was not the case because I think it poured into that one word, translated as “love” or “mercy”, a much fuller meaning. If you missed that, I suggest you reread it. I have reread it several times. Then the phrase “my cup overflows” preceding these words will have a deeper meaning. Time is growing short and I have a few more things to say about this verse. For those who like fast food and hate shopping, this may be bad news. “Can’t we get this verse over with, let alone this Psalm, and get on with the next Psalm?”. I hope no one is thinking that. I originally began this Psalm skeptical that I could say much about it since it was so familiar to me. Boy was I wrong. God, my Shepherd has led me all the way, teaching and feeding me. Even now I have heard several songs that contained a word or thought from this Psalm. Right now a song by Shannon Wexalburg is playing which is causing my Spirit to soar. I end today with the lyrics to this song and a link to the video. After hearing this song, I realize that the phrase “goodness and love (HESED) will follow me the days of my life’’ can be replaced with one word… Jesus!

 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

I could climb the highest heights
Travel far beyond the sky
Even there I know You’d find me with Your love
I could cross the distant seas
Walk through valleys dark and deep
Even there I know You’d reach me with Your love

Nothing can separate me
Nothing could ever take me
Take me from Your love
There’s nothing strong enough
Nothing can separate me
Nothing could ever take me
Take me from Your love
The love of Jesus

Not tomorrow or today
Not my joy or deepest pain
There is nothing that could keep me from Your love
Not in life or even death
Not one pow’r of hell or heaven
For I know You’ll always find me with Your love

There is no fear
I’m in the perfect love of Christ
I’m resting here
And You will keep me through the watches of the night

Video: (I recommend that you watch this. It gives background and context that makes the song even more powerful) -  https://youtu.be/mmQffH5zJIo

The "chesed" of the Lord

Journal Entry from November 16, 2015

Worship: You are Good by Keri Jobe; Mercy Tree by Lacey Sturm

You Are Good Lyrics

Your kindness leads me to repentance
Your goodness draws me to your side
Your mercy calls me to be like You
Your favor is my delight
Everyday I’ll awaken my praise
and pour out a song from my heart

You are good, You are good
You are good and Your mercy is forever
You are good, You are good
You are good, and Your mercy is forever

Your kindness leads me to repentance
Your goodness draws me to Your side
Your mercy calls me to be like You
Your favor is my delight
Everyday I’ll awaken my praise
and pour out a song from my heart

Your kindness is forever
Your goodness is forever
Your mercy is forever, forever

Lyrics taken from <a href=”http://www.elyrics.net/read/k/kari-jobe-lyrics/you-are-good-lyrics.html” rel=”nofollow”>this page</a>

Video:

https://youtu.be/sZwiW1Fgrp8?list=RdsZwiW1Fgrp8

On a hill called Calvary
Stands an endless mercy tree
Every broke and weary soul
Find your rest and be made whole

Stripes of blood that stain its frame
Shed to wash away our shame
From the scars pure love released
Salvation brought the mercy tree

In the sky, between two thieves
Hung the blameless Prince of Peace
Bruised and battered, scarred and scorned
Sacred Hands pierced by our thorns

It is finished was his cry
The perfect Lamb was crucified
The sacrifice, our victory.
Our Savior chose the mercy tree

Hope went dark that violent day
The whole earth ‘quaked at love’s display
Three days silence in the ground
This body born for Heaven’s crown

On that bright and glorious day
Heaven opened up the grave
He’s alive and risen indeed
Praise him for the mercy tree

Death has died. Love has won!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Jesus Christ has overcome.
He has risen from the dead.

One day soon we’ll see His face
And every tear, He’ll wipe away
No more pain or suffering
Oh, praise him for the mercy tree

Death has died. Love has won!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Jesus Christ has overcome.
He has risen from the dead.

On a hill called Calvary
Stands an endless mercy tree 

Lyrics: http://www.newreleasetoday.com/lyricsdetail.php?lyrics_id=84703

Video:  https://youtu.be/07lDxRvaoI4

Witness: I sit here on the couch listening to Fernando Ortega singing, Lord I Want to Be a Christian”. My eyes are shut as the song soothes my soul. Sleep which eludes me when I lie down in the morn is now reaching out to conquer me and keep me from finishing my journal entry for today. I took a 30-minute power nap between my last sentence and this one. It has helped some, but it did not help me when it comes to sharing anything the Lord had taught or done today. Just now the words to a song by Fernando Ortega have caught my attention. They are the last words to the song, “Hear Me Calling, Great Redeemer”. Weary from lack of sleep and the stresses of life, this song ministered to my spirit and refreshed my soul. It is an appropriate song considering the psalm we are in at the moment. Here are the lyrics to the song, you will see what I mean:

As I walk, Lord, Through the valley,
Hold my hand, Hold my trembling hand.
If I stumble by the wayside,
In Your strength help me stand.

The sparks fly upward while the wind blows
Like a spirit, Lost upon the sea.
I am torn, Lord, And born to trouble.
I am blind and I am weak.

Hear me calling, Great Redeemer,
At the foot of Your dark cross
Where You suffered for the sinner,
Bleeding, Dying, For the lost.

Go before me through the valley,
Speak to me, For I know Your voice.
Lead me homeward, Gentle Shepherd,
God of Love, God of Grace.

Hear me calling, Great Redeemer,
At the foot of Your dark cross
Where You suffered for the sinner,
Bleeding, Dying, For the lost.

Go before me through the valley,
Speak to me, For I know Your voice.
Lead me homeward, Gentle Shepherd,
God of Love, God of Grace.

http://www.lyricsfreak.com/f/fernando+ortega/hear+me+calling+great+redeemer_20765358.html

I praise God for moments like these when my Shepherd reaches out to minister to me when I am in need. I received a double portion or perhaps a triple portion tonight as I write these words. You see as I wrote he sang a song based on Isaiah 40:8:

                                               

The grass withers and the flowers fall,

but the word of our God stands forever.”

Isa 40:8 NIV

As I read this passage I marveled at what follows. It again seems an appropriate Word to read in light of Psalm 23.

You who bring good tidings to Zion,

go up on a high mountain.

You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem,

lift up your voice with a shout,

lift it up, do not be afraid;

say to the towns of Judah,

“Here is your God!”

See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power,

and his arm rules for him.

See, his reward is with him,

and his recompense accompanies him.

He tends his flock like a shepherd:

He gathers the lambs in his arms

and carries them close to his heart;

he gently leads those that have young.

Isa 40:9-11 NIV

But God was not finished yet, for following my reading these words came this song:

Troubles and trials often betray us
Causing the weary body to stray
But we shall walk beside the still waters
With the Good Shepherd leading the way

Those who have strayed were sought by the master
He who once gave his life for the sheep
Out on the mountain still he is searching
Bringing them in forever to keep

Going up home to live in green pastures
Where we shall live and die nevermore
Even the Lord will be in that number
When we shall reach that heavenly shore

We shall not heed the voice of a stranger
For he will lead us onto despair
Following on with Jesus our Savior
We shall all reach that country so fair

Going up home to live in green pastures
Where we shall live and die nevermore
Even the Lord will be in that number
When we shall reach that heavenly shore

https://www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/Fernando-Ortega/Green-Pastures

When life is not going the way we want it. When even little things frustrate us, the temptation is to listen to the “stranger” instead of our “Savior” and “Good Shepherd”. To heed that lying voice will only lead to further “despair”. I have learned to listen for my Shepherd’s voice in times of despair and weariness. His is the “voice of truth” as another song says:

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says, “Do not be afraid!”
And the voice of truth says, “This is for My glory”
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/castingcrowns/voiceoftruth.html

So when the stranger whispers his lies, “You are tired and weary and your Shepherd has left you because he thinks you are so unworthy and faithless. Come follow me and I will give you pleasure and leisure.” I tune him out and listen for my Shepherds voice who calls me and teaches me to declare with all His saints:

                                                Ps 100

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.

NIV

I also remind myself of the words highlighted below.

WORD:

Ps 23:5-6 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. NIV Ps 23:5-6 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. KJV

The word translated “love” or “mercy” is the word “hesed”. I remember my O.T. Professor in Seminary saying that this is the word that comes closest to the word grace in the New Testament. I found the article on loving kindness by Vines to be most helpful and comprehensive so I will end today with an excerpt from this reference work (forgive me for the article is quite long but will give you a fuller meaning of the word used in 23:6):

LOVING-KINDNESS

Noun.

Checed OT:2617, “loving-kindness; steadfast love; grace; mercy; faithfulness; goodness; devotion.” This word is used 240 times in the Old Testament, and is especially frequent in the Psalter. The term is one of the most important in the vocabulary of Old Testament theology and ethics.

The Septuagint nearly always renders checed with

eleos

 (“mercy”), and that usage is reflected in the New Testament. Modern translations, in contrast, generally prefer renditions close to the word “grace.” KJV usually has “mercy,” although “loving-kindness” (following Coverdale), “favor,” and other translations also occur. RSV generally prefers “steadfast love.” NIV often offers simply “love.”

In general, one may identify three basic meanings of the word, which always interact: “strength,” “steadfastness,” and “love.” Any understanding of the word that fails to suggest all three inevitably loses some of its richness. “Love” by itself easily becomes sentimentalized or universalized apart from the covenant. Yet “strength” or “steadfastness” suggests only the fulfillment of a legal or other obligation.

The word refers primarily to mutual and reciprocal rights and obligations between the parties of a relationship (especially Yahweh and Israel). But checed is not only a matter of obligation; it is also of generosity. It is not only a matter of loyalty, but also of mercy. The weaker party seeks the protection and blessing of the patron and protector, but he may not lay absolute claim to it. The stronger party remains committed to his promise, but retains his freedom, especially with regard to the manner in which he will implement those promises. Checed implies personal involvement and commitment in a relationship beyond the rule of law.

Marital love is often related to checed. Marriage certainly is a legal matter, and there are legal sanctions for infractions. Yet the relationship, if sound, far transcends mere legalities. The prophet Hosea applies the analogy to Yahweh’s checed to Israel within the covenant (e. g., 2:21). Hence, “devotion” is sometimes the single English word best capable of capturing the nuance of the original. The RSV attempts to bring this out by its translation, “steadfast love.” Hebrew writers often underscored the element of steadfastness (or strength) by pairing checed with °emet (“truth, reliability”) and °emunah (“faithfulness”).

Biblical usage frequently speaks of someone “doing,” “showing,” or “keeping” checed. The concrete content of the word is especially evident when it is used in the plural. God’s “mercies,” “kindnesses,” or “faithfulnesses” are His specific, concrete acts of redemption in fulfillment of His promise. An example appears in Isa 55:3: “...and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.”

Checed has both God and man as its subject. When man is the subject of checed, the word usually describes the person’s kindness or loyalty to another; cf. 2 Sam 9:7: “And David said... I will surely show thee [Mephibosheth] kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake....” Only rarely is the term applied explicitly to man’s affection or fidelity toward God; the clearest example is probably Jer 2:2: “Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, thus saith the Lord; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness....”

Man exercises checed toward various units within the community — toward family and relatives, but also to friends, guests, masters, and servants. Checed toward the lowly and needy is often specified. The Bible prominently uses the term checed to summarize and characterize a life of sanctification within, and in response to, the covenant. Thus, Hos 6:6 states that God desires “mercy [RSV, “steadfast love”] and not sacrifice” (i. e., faithful living in addition to worship). Similarly, Mic 6:8 features checed in the prophets’ summary of biblical ethics: “...and what doth the Lord require of thee, but... to love mercy.. “

Behind all these uses with man as subject, however, stand the repeated references to God’s checed. It is one of His most central characteristics. God’s loving-kindness is offered to His people, who need redemption from sin, enemies, and troubles. A recurrent refrain describing God’s nature is “abounding plenteous in checed” Ex 34:6; Neh 9:17; Ps 103:8; Jonah 4:2. The entire history of Yahweh’s covenantal relationship with Israel can be summarized in terms of checed. It is the one permanent element in the flux of covenantal history. Even the Creation is the result of God’s checed Ps 136:5-9. His love lasts for a “thousand generations” Deut 7:9; cf. Deut 5:10 and Ex 20:6, indeed “forever” (especially in the refrains of certain psalms, such as Ps 136).

Words used in synonymous parallelism with checed help to define and explain it. The word most commonly associated with checed is °emet (“fidelity; reliability”): “...let thy loving-kind- ness [checed] and thy truth [°emet] continually preserve me.” °Emunah with a similar meaning is also common: “He hath remembered his mercy [checed] and his truth [°emunah] toward the house of Israel....” This emphasis is especially appropriate when God is the subject, because His checed is stronger and more enduring than man’s. Etymological investigation suggests that checed’s primitive significance may have been “strength” or “permanence.” If so, a puzzling use of checed in Isa 40:6 would be explained: “All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field.”

The association of checed with “covenant” keeps it from being misunderstood as mere providence or love for all creatures; it applies primarily to God’s particular love for His chosen and covenanted people. “Covenant” also stresses the reciprocity of the relationship; but since God’s checed is ultimately beyond the covenant, it will not ultimately be abandoned, even when the human partner is unfaithful and must be disciplined Isa 54:8,10. Since its final triumph and implementation is eschatological, checed can imply the goal and end of all salvation-history Ps 85:7,10; 130:7; Mic 7:20.

The proper noun Hacdiah 1 Chron 3:20 is related to checed The name of Zerubbabel’s son means “Yahweh is faithful gracious,” a fitting summary of the prophet’s message.

(from Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

The Fullness of God's Goodness and Love

How often I have to remind myself of these truths!

November 14, 2015

Worship: Great is Thy Faithfulness by Thomas Chisholm (1866–1960);  Faithful God sung by Gateway Worship

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee,
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not,
As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.

Refrain:
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above;
Join with all nature in manifold witness,
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

(Refrain)

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own great presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside.

(Refrain)

https://youtu.be/0k1WhFtVp0o

VERSE 1

        Em7    D/F#     G       Em7        D/F#    G

           If I call will You come, when I cry do You hear

       Em7       D/F#    G                            C        D

        I believe every tear is caught up by a faithful God

        Em7           D/F#      G      Em7         D/F#          G

            So I will cry until You come, cast my cares into Your arms

       Em7       D/F#           G                                    C         D

            I can’t see past this storm, but I’m counting on a faithful God

CHORUS

      Em7  D/F# G                                 C

        Faith- ful     God, You hold my life se-cure

                          D

        All my days are Yours

      Em7  D/F#   G                          C                   Dsus    D

        I         be-     lieve my God is like a fire defending me

                Em7 D/F#    G    Em7    D/F#    G/C   

        Faith- fully,                     faith- fully

VERSE 2

        Em7    D/F#      G    Em7   D/F#          G

            I believe You still heal and demons still bow

       Em7          D/F#              G                           C         D

           I’m con- vinced there is power in trusting in a faithful God

        Em7           D/F#              G    Em7        D/F#                  G

            So I will praise till You ap- pear, and set Your foot upon this shore

       Em7       D/F#           G                        C         D

           I declare that every foe is subject to my faithful God

CHORUS

      Em7  D/F#  G                                 Cmaj7

        Faith- ful      God, You hold my life se-cure

                          D

        All my days are Yours

      Em7  D/F#   G                         Cmaj7              D

        I         be-     lieve my God is like a fire defending me

            Em7    D/F#    G   

        Faith- fully

BRIDGE

       G/B   C                  m                    D/F#           G

        I know that You are mine and I am Yours, I am Yours        

             G/B   C                    Em               D/F#   

        And I know Your faithfulness, it will endure

                    Em7    D/F#    G    Em7    D/F#    G/C

        It will en- dure

CHORUS

      Em7  D/F#  G                                       Cmaj7

        Faith- ful      God, You hold my life se-cure

                        D

        All my days are Yours

      Em7  D/F#   G                         C                    D

        I         be-     lieve my God is like a fire defending me

             Em7    D/F#    G  Em7   D/F#   G/C   

        Faith- fully,                faith- fully

      Em7    D/F#    G    Em7    D/F#    G/C

© 2009 Zach Neese/Gateway Create Publishing/Integrity’s Praise! Music CCLI#5545610   

[ Tab from: http://www.guitaretab.com/g/

Lyrics:  http://www.guitaretab.com/g/gateway-worship/310259.html

Video:  https://youtu.be/nAibNB44TR8

Witness:

This is one of those two-day entries again. I started yesterday, but I was so tired I had to stop and take a power nap before work. As is my custom, I began this quiet time with prayer and the reading of a previous day’s entry. Today was from October 19, 2015. In the witness portion of my journal I spoke of the business of life and how that had kept me from making any entries for several days. I then exhorted myself not to be discouraged by this, but to keep going. I ended with this thought:

            We must not become weary in well-doing, nor become too busy to be well doing.

That goes not only for quiet times but for anything of God that you feel like giving up on. The message from Haggai parallels what I am saying here. My pastor is preaching a short series on the book. In that day they were exhorted to rebuild the Temple but after a month of work they were discouraged. This Temple would never be as glorious as Solomon’s. What good would it do to continue to work on it? They could see no progress taking place. What was the source of their discouragement? They were discouraged by two things, “comparison” and “lack of progress”. We can get discouraged by comparing the past with the present or comparing our situation with someone else’s. We are especially discouraged when life seems to be going well for the ungodly and all hell is breaking loose in ours. What is the answer? God says in Haggai 2:1-5:

On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: “Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them, ‘Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? But now be strong, O Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord. ‘Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty. ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’

NIV

Be strong and do the work. That is the answer. Be strong because God is with us and in us. Do the work because God is with us and in us. What will be the results? What does God promise? If we read on in Haggai, we hear God give this promise to His people:

“This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty.   ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”

Hag 2:6-9 NIV

A greater glory and peace are promised to those who persevere. My pastor, Craig Groeschel, says:

“Successful people do consistently what normal people do occasionally”

If this is so in the natural, how much more in the supernatural?

So, yes the ungodly often prosper temporarily, but in the end, all hell will break out for them. Yes, in this life we face tribulation, but in the end glory and peace will break forth in our lives.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Gal 6:7-10 NIV

WORD:

Ps 23:5-6 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. NIV

Ps 23:5-6 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. KJV

The other day we looked at the word “goodness”. The word is a rich word with a breadth of ways it has been translated in various passages. I said that God’s goodness encompasses all of these. Today we look at the word “love” or “mercy”. I believe the NIV and KJV fall short here. Yes, these are proper translations of the word here, but the word means so much more. Therefore, it should be translated by a compound word like “lovingkindness” (NASB, NASB ’95) or several words such as  “unfailing love” (NLT) or “faithful love” (HCSB) or “loyal love”(Bible Knowledge Comm). From this we could say that God’s “goodness, favor, joy, and best as well as His loyal and faithful love, kindness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.

Therefore, my prayer for you and myself is this:

Eph 3:16-19

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

NIV

For the Lord our God declares:

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his love for those who fear him;

as far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Ps 103:11-12 NIV

Ps 103:17-19

But from everlasting to everlasting

the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,

and his righteousness with their children’s children — 

with those who keep his covenant

and remember to obey his precepts.

The Lord has established his throne in heaven,

and his kingdom rules over all.

NIV

So I will pray also:

Eph 1:17-22

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

NIV

Understanding this:

Ps 139:5

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

too lofty for me to attain.

NIV

Yet I will

Ps 106:1-2

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

his love endures forever.

Understanding in the end this:

2 Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord

or fully declare his praise?

NIV

I have all eternity to try!

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun,

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise

Than when we’d first begun.

(from Biblesoft Hymnal, PC Study Bible electronic database Copyright © 2003-2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)