Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”—John 11:38-40 (emphasis mine)
I stopped here in my reading this morning. Even as an optimist, there are times when the eyes of my heart can focus on the stench and corruption of this world instead of the glory of God that surrounds me. Oh, Father give me a heart of faith that sees Your goodness always. Where sin abounds, Your grace abounds much more! You give beauty for ashes…the oil of joy for mourning and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy (lovingkindness) endures forever.(is everlasting)—Psalm 107:1
Whoever is wise will observe these things,
And they will understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.—Psalm 107:43
Verse 1 of Psalm 107 commands us to give thanks to the Lord. It also tells us why. For He is good and His lovingkindness is everlasting. The very last verse of Psalm 107 says that whoever is wise will observe these things, and they will understand the lovingkindness of the Lord. Most of this psalm is spent reviewing the variegated trials that come humanity’s way in the course of a lifetime while at the same time showing us how God assists us and supports us through each of these hardships and distresses.
What are we wise to observe as God does this? His lovingkindness! What a great thing to make a practice of observing as we navigate through the sorrow and tribulation that come with life lived in this fallen world. Trials can become opportunities to observe the Lord’s goodness and rightly understand the lovingkindness of the Lord. How often during a trial does Satan try to confuse and discourage us with lies. He whispers to us when we are scared, telling us that we are alone, without anyone to help. But making a practice of “looking for and seeing” God’s merciful hand on our lives will serve to counter the lies and shore up our assurance as we become personally acquainted with it (His lovingkindness) in our own hearts and lives. Psalm 26:3 is so helpful here..
For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes,
And I have walked in Your truth.
Keep God’s goodness before your eyes and His truth as a light to your path. He has given us His Spirit to help us. We are NOT alone.
“These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” —John 14: 25-27
Who is wise?
Let him understand these things.
Who is prudent?
Let him know them.
For the ways of the LORD are right;
The righteous walk in them,
But transgressors stumble in them.—Hosea 14:9
But let him who glories glory in this,
That he understands and knows Me,
That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these I delight," says the LORD.—Jeremiah 9:24
[that we] may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height--
19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.—Ephesians 3:18-19
