Lovingkindness

“Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord.’ Psalm 107:43 

“They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them. ‘ Isaiah 49:10 

“Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted. ‘ Isaiah 49:13 

“Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. ‘ Isaiah 49:15

I want to think about a caregiver, full of loving kindness, gentleness, tender mercies. Indeed, my flesh resists these qualities in its utter unworthiness. But now I listen, now I hunger and thirst for this righteousness, for this mercy. I have noticed how Jacob overruled Esau and led the children on softly in Genesis 33 — Flocks with nursing young, children, and just plain tired folk. Jacob knew that driving them was not going to work as a leader.

David demonstrated also this leadership quality in first Samuel 30. There at Ziglag, the camp had been overrun; family and goods taken. David prayed and the chase for recovering was on. However, some could not pursue because of abject tiredness. In their case, David allowed them to stay by the stuff, and later gave them their fair share of the spoil taken back. David rebuked those who wished to refuse these tired ones their part because of neglecting their “fair share.”

I have always marveled at the story of Hagar in Genesis 21. Being sent forth from the household at the bidding of Sarah, Abraham gives her bread and water. Shortly, the provision runs dry, the mother drops her son under a tree and removes herself from the sight of the child. She begins to weep. An Angel appears, a messenger from heaven reassures the mom and saves the child. Hagar was the forbidden mother of a quest to fulfill the promise of God for a child in Abraham and Sarah’s old age. Regardless her deceitful role, God treated her with tenderness.

Have you observed with me that ” the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill.” Ecclesiastes 9:11

“but time and chance happens to them all. ” 9b

Friends, “right now” and “impingement of accidents or occurrences” lights upon all. Quite a reality! Can we call this phenomena capacity revealing? Indeed we can. We find “capacity to be:

“The potential or suitability for holding, storing, or accommodating.  the maximum amount or number that can be contained or accommodated. : an individual’s mental or physical ability.” Webster’s

Capacity building in people refers to the process of enhancing their skills, knowledge, resources, and abilities to improve their performance and effectiveness in various areas of life.”

Beloved, God is in the capacity building business. Resources must be increased, knowledge must be given ,abilities must grow and skills right with them. For the believer, the resource is God Himself. Yes, God and God’s Word supply all the enrichment needed. All the treasures of knowledge are contained in Christ himself, the riches of his grace. Colossians 2:3 And in John 1:8 Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ, for us. ‘Grace’ means something that I do not deserve, I must be enlarged in this. “Truth” is the security of perceiving what is real, I must grow in this also. My capacity is building. Acts 20:32

Lastly, grace teaches us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present evil world. Titus chapter 2 verse 11. Grace in this verse indeed is our teacher and this is the business of God. It’s not about doing more, it’s not about doing better. It’s not about trying harder, it’s not about feeling guilty about what I am not doing or proud of what I am doing. I simply grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is my focus. With that grace and knowledge I can perform all that I am called to do. As we walk on softly, goodness and mercy following us all the days of our lives, and we dwell in the House of the Lord forever! Love you