April 18, 2024
One of the richest words used in the Old Testament Hebrew is “hesed” or “chesed,” often translated “lovingkindness.” It is used 250 times in the Old Testament and most often used to describe God Himself. It is defined this way:
LOYAL LOVE: an unfailing kind of love, kindness, or goodness, often used of God’s love that is related to faithfulness to his covenant. Mercy, compassion.
It is not merely love, but loyal love; not merely kindness, but dependable kindness; not merely affection, but affection that has committed itself.
Psalm 107 calls us to “consider the lovingkindness of the Lord” (Vs. 43). Each paragraph illustrates God’s lovingkindness to a different group of people, always people who did not deserve it. See if these describe you right now or have in the past.
THE WANDERING
Those who “wandered in the wilderness in a desert region … they were hungry and thirsty and their soul fainted within them” (Vs. 4-5).
THE IMPRISONED
“Those who dwelt in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in misery and chains because they had rebelled against the words of God and spurned the counsel of the Most High. Therefore He humbled their heart with labor” (Vs. 10-12).
THE FOOLISH
“Fools, because of their rebellious way and because of their iniquities” (Vs. 17).
THE OVERWHELMED
“Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business on great waters … stormy winds … their soul melted away in their misery … they were at their wit's end” (Vs. 23-27).
If you find yourself in these words, you are a prime candidate for what happens next. Each one, in varying conditions (often a result of their sin), has this desperate response:
“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble” (Vs. 6, 13,19, 28)
God brought them to the end of themselves. They had all exhausted human means, turned in desperation, and cried out. To “cry out” is different from simply praying. It is desperate faith and total dependence. And what is God’s response to these (to us) when we humbly cry out?
In His lovingkindness, He hears and answers.
THE WANDERING … “He delivered them out of their distresses. He led them also by a straight way to go to an inhabited city” (Vs. 6-7).
THE IMPRISONED … “He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke their bands apart” (Vs. 14).
THE FOOLISH … “He saved them out of their distresses and sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions” (Vs. 19-20).
THE OVERWHELMED … “He caused the storm to be still, so that the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because they were quiet, so He guided them to their desired haven” (Vs. 29-30).
He delivered them. Everyone who cried out was lifted by God's lovingkindness. None deserved it. None knew how to receive it. None could have done it themselves. They simply, humbly cried out, and God lovingly, kindly helped them.
He will do the same for you and He will do it now. Why would you continue in your dilemma on your own? Cry out to Him. And when He helps you … consider the lovingkindness of the Lord.
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