God is everywhere, and every creature exists only because God is there upholding it in His providence. But God is not everywhere with His mercy. As David wrote in Psalm 32:10, "Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about."
And that the wicked shall know many sorrows is because God encompasses them with his holy wrath. The wicked come up against God in their hatred towards Him, and He comes up against them and gives them sorrows for their hatred towards Him; and He comes up against them and gives them sorrows for their sins. A foolish man who runs into a bush that is full of sharp thorns will have many sorrows. How much more painful shall it be to run up against the almighty and holy God?
Remember that each time we sin we are opposing God. It makes no difference whether it is a sinful thought, desire, word, or physical deed, sinning is going against the God Who created us so that we might serve Him in love.
But there is forgiveness for those who look to God in hatred of their sins. For trust in God — and David calls those who seek forgiveness, those who trust in God — is first of all conviction that He is God and has the right to order our steps and decide what our conduct and behavior in His creation must be. Trusting Him we shall be surrounded and encircled by and with His mercy, as we sing:
So let the godly seek Thee
in times when Thou art near;
No whelming floods shall reach them,
Nor cause their hearts to fear.
In Thee, O Lord, I hide me,
Thou savest me from ill,
And songs of Thy salvation
My heart with rapture thrill.
The point is that those who trust in God are protected from the fiery darts of God's holy wrath. For they are encompassed, that is, encircled by Christ, Who is our merciful Savior. In Him God treats us tenderly, and in His time will bring us to His house of many mansions where there is no sorrow but only joy and gladness.
Are you trusting Him to do this to you?
Read: Psalm 37:1-29
Psalter versification: #83:3
Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism
Song for Meditation: Psalter number 91
Why not sing along??
Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
2 Samuel 20:14-26
2 Samuel 21:1-22
Acts 1:1-26
Psalm 121:1-8
Proverbs 16:18
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Quote for Reflection:
John Eadie on Ephesians 4:13 : "The Christian ministry is appointed to labor for the perfection of the church of Christ, a perfection which is not a romantic anticipation, but which consists of the communicated fullness of Christ."
Additional Info
- Date: 3-June
