GOD IS – GRACIOUS, RIGHTEOUS, AND MERCIFUL!

GOD IS – GRACIOUS, RIGHTEOUS, AND MERCIFUL!

Ps 116:3-5

3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.

4 Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.

          Growing out of deep personal trouble, the Psalmist testifies to the graciousness, righteousness and mercy of God. God had delivered his soul and he recommends the same remedy to all who are in trouble. In doing so he uses three identifying words that deserve closer examination.

          The word “gracious” is the Hebrew word channuwn and means “to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior.” Certainly this is an apt description of the acts of such a great God to lowly men. However, there is one event in the life of Jesus that pictures God’s graciousness clearly.

Mark 10:13-14

13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.

14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

          Without realizing it, the disciples had begun to think of themselves as a privileged club and children were not qualified to sit on the Master’s knee. Jesus was “much displeased” and acted graciously toward the children. He picked them up and blessed them explaining that heaven is full of such little ones. It is with this same condescension that God bends low to reach man. Jacob thought of himself as a “worm” as he approached a Holy God yet God graciously blessed him.

          God is described in our Psalm as “righteous” which means that he is morally and procedurally correct. He cannot be made wrong! All His actions are appropriate, just and lawful. It is this judgmental fairness that makes His graciousness shine even more brightly. When God acts in judgment He can’t be accused of acting meanly or capriciously. He is does not act in vengeance but in justice.

          The Hebrew word for “merciful” is an interesting word. It is the word racham and literally means “to fondle.” Now, the word “fondle” in our modern language often has sexual overtones but one can easily see that it also fits into the cuddling of a father and a child. Like the picture of Jesus with the children in the book of Mark, we can imagine Jesus hugging their necks and being hugged by them. Can you imagine Jesus wanting to hug your neck? Can you imagine the God of the universe bending low so that you can hug His neck? This is mercy! This is love. How can a loving father do less than to protect and provide for the child in his arms?

Dear Lord! Thank you for bending low and hugging my neck. Thank you for allowing me to hug you back. AMEN