LONGSUFFERING LOVEDate: 30-01-2010
Speaker: Dr. Paul Dhinakaran Gist: God’s love for us is unconditional.
Four attributes are given to the Almighty God in the following verse.
“But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth” (Psalm 86:15)
Why these four attributes namely ‘compassion, gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth are given to God? He is our heavenly Father and a mother to us. Jesus Christ bore our afflictions on the cross of Calvary, took over our infirmities and curses upon Himself and the struggles on account of poverty. It is through His suffering and sacrifice that we receive His blessings.
Why should God go to the extent of sacrificing Himself on the cross? The one and only reason is His love for us is unconditional. When He sojourned on this earth He wept with those who were in tears. Even on this day, His heart thumps heavily upon seeing His children struggle. Upon seeing the tribulation His children go through He desires to heal and lift them up immediately.
However, quite often pride enters our mind when the healing is instant. Instead of being grateful to God for the miracles and blessings received we shift our attention on our “self” turning to look swelled with pride like the white puff of a mature dandelion plant. In the process, instead of imbibing a godly fear within we tend to pride over the blessings received as if they were our own accomplishments. It is sad when we are forced into a situation wherein we begin to laud ourselves. It is for this reason God is patient with us saying, “My child will understand the importance and the value of this gift and the glory of its Giver only when simmered in the pot called suffering.” Having known the value of the blessings bestowed, thereafter that particular person would neither let go the Giver nor His gifts but would honour both with much piety.
Those children who receive whatever they ask for from their parents immediately give little or no honour to such favours received. On the contrary, children of those parents who buy gifts for the hard work of their children upon receiving it consider it as a treasure, a token for their hard work and honour their parents as well as their presents. Thus, this paves way to enjoy those gifts given considering it as most valuable. God is patient in providing the blessings we need because He wants our life to be holy and prosperous as well.
When afflicted with troubles a feeling of oneness sprouts among the family members urging them to seek God diligently. At His appointed time, God will hasten to grant justice to such people.
Therefore, cling on to Him and be of good cheer, He will surely let go His patience very soon and would descend to bless you.
Prayer
Loving heavenly Father,
I thank You for all the blessings You have bestowed upon me thus far. I also thank You for the blessings You are going to shower in my life. I firmly believe that You will always bless my family and me abundantly.
In the precious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
Amen. |