The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Tender Mercies, Over All"
In a world of profound and ongoing need, born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ have access to God's help for the hurting.
"But Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth" (Psalm 86:15).
"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men" (I Corinthians 2:1).
Humanity exists as a race composed of those who have been redeemed by God's grace in the Lord Jesus, and also by many who do not believe in God, many who reject Him with great animosity, and many who completely misperceive His character, nature, and way. Our Father looks with compassion upon all, seeking to comfort His trusting children in Christ, and also administer help to the lost because He cares, and because He seeks to turn their hearts to Him. "The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works" (Psalm 145:9).
Believers play a role in the administration of God's caring and comfort. Certainly, we use our hands and feet whenever possible to bring hope and help to the hurting. We also engage our hearts by approaching our Lord in prayer to ask Him to do that which so accords with His nature. We pray for friend and foe at "the throne grace" so aptly named for ourselves, and for all (Hebrews 4:16). The Lord Jesus died for His enemies at Calvary. He also prayed for those who nailed Him to the cross (Romans 5:6-10; Luke 23:34). Without minimizing or mitigating the realities of sin and rejection of God and His truth, we nevertheless approach our Heavenly Father in the love of Christ to seek His compassion "for all." He will administer His grace wisely in answer to our prayers, and we will serve as "vessels of mercy" not only as undeserved recipients, but as intercessors seeking the same hope and help for others (Romans 9:23).
I often wonder who prayed for Saul of Tarsus (best known as the Apostle Paul, quoted above), one of the most vile and violent enemies the Lord Jesus and His church ever encountered (Acts 8:3). Did a brother or sister cast into prison through Saul's efforts ask for God to show His grace and mercy to the one responsible for his or her bondage? We do not know. Or perhaps we do. The love of Christ in redeemed hearts leads to the Redeemer's compassion, and to prayers for enemies such as He prayed. It will do the same in us as we trust and submit to God. We do no injury to righteousness and holiness as we pray for those who reject the Savior. In fact, we confirm that the King of righteousness and the Lord of holiness has found a place in our hearts, a place of compassion and "tender mercies over all His works"…
"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you, that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."
(Matthew 5:43-45)
Memory Verse
"We went through fire and through water, but Thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place."
(Psalm 66:12)
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