01/29/2024
Godlike Sympathies; I was touched this morning by how incredibly merciful, loving, and sympathetic God truly is. I thought of Jesus nailed to the cross and my eyes filled with tears; not so much for the suffering He endured (which always brings me to tears) but for the love, mercy, and sympathy that He and His Father have for mankind, and the grace that they continue to pour out on us. We saw it on Calvary, and we continue to see it every day in our own lives. Does it make us want to be like them?
“And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.”
Luke 23:33-34 ESV
When I thought of the magnitude of God's love and mercy that he displayed for us by sending His only begotten Son to live, suffer, die, and be resurrected in order to redeem us, and the sympathy He shows us in doing that, I couldn't imagine how I would ever be able to sufficiently mirror that in my life. As Christians we strive to be more Christ-like in our own lives, and to mirror God in our character and behavior, but what a monumental task it is to go out into the world to deliver the gospel, love mankind, and attempt to save the lost souls that are there. Are we able to abandon our own self-interests and love like this?
"It takes the whole man to run parallel with God's high will in saving mankind." – E.M. Bounds
I read these words of E.M. Bounds over and over until it dawned on me that he was using the word parallel. I might not be able to fully recreate God's sympathy or love, but in my own lowly state perhaps I could imitate it as best I could... I could parallel God's example.
For many years I have thought and acted on what are called the seven mercies. In past years I would carry a handful of business cards with these mercies printed on them, and I would give them to others, and use them to remind myself of the importance of being good and merciful.
1. Feed the hungry
2. Give drink to the thirsty
3. Welcome the stranger
4. Clothe the naked
5. Visit the sick
6. Visit the prisoner
7. Bury the dead
One of these mercies that I do on occasion is to feed the hungry at the downtown Mission. I can't cover the desert floor with manna, but I can fill the plates of several hundred needy men with what God has provided. By doing this I am paralleling the will and actions of Jesus and God the Father, and in doing so my soul is filled with love and sympathy for those hungry men… it is an overwhelmingly satisfying feeling.
It takes everything in us to pray and behave as God wills us to. Sometimes we get discouraged because we can't seem to do enough, pray hard enough, be merciful enough... But if we give our all in the attempt, then we can parallel the will of our Father, be more like Jesus, and achieve what is expected of us.
When I was a younger man and cars were simpler to work on; I would often do my own repairs. I would spend Saturdays on my driveway with a wrench in my hand fixing something, and occasionally I would notice one of my sons working on his bicycle nearby. He didn't have the skills or maturity to work on a car, but he was imitating my actions... He was paralleling what he saw me doing... and it pleased me, and I loved him for it. God knows our limitations too; after all, he created us, and as we work on our own spiritual bicycles in an effort to be like Him I am certain He smiles, and that our efforts please Him.
So we pray and serve the Lord with everything we have. We show sympathy for others with all of our ability to love, and we are merciful with all the kindness we are capable of mustering. God loves us for this just as we love our children when we see them imitating us in good ways. When we imitate our Heavenly Father; when we are like my sons were; then we are demonstrating our desire to please and be like our Father… and He loves us for it.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for being so loving, good, merciful and full of grace, that we not only desire to be like you, but find that we fall short of your infinite love despite our finest efforts. Thank you for the spiritual bicycles you provide us in the food kitchens, used clothing stores, prisons, cemeteries, and so many other places where we can imitate your mercy and other characters. Thank you Lord for the actions of your Son Jesus, the help of your Holy Spirit, and your Guiding Word that instructs us as we work to be more like you each day. We thank you Father for the mercy and grace you show us when we have stumbled and sinned, and must come to you, penitent, and asking for your forgiveness. We read the account of Adam and Eve as they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and how sin came to man, but we also read of how you still loved them, and made them clothing despite their disobedience. Help us to love like that Father, and to increase in our goodness, mercy, and grace, so that we can grow to be more like you forever; without ceasing. Hear our prayers today and everyday as we lift up our hands to you, and ask that you use them to do your will, and to show mercy and love to all men. Never let there be a shortage of ways that we can be more like you Abba, and demonstrate to the world what it means to be your child… one who walks behind you with an arm full of used clothing for the naked, a cool drink of water for the thirsty, a meal for the hungry, or one of the many other mercies and blessings you desire to give us. Praised be your name, and may we give you all of the glory for every time we are blessed to imitate your love, kindness, and mercy. Smile upon us Father, as we strive to please you in every way.
Rich Forbes