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Psalm
103:14, "For he knoweth our frame; he
remembereth that we are dust."
Romans 8:30, "Moreover whom he did predestinate,
them he also called: and whom he called, them he also
justified: and whom he justified, them he also
glorified."
This morning, the mercy of God is the theme of our
thoughts. When thinking about the mercies of God,
many times we focus on one aspect or another (eternal
vs. timely being a good example).
Oftentimes, our
discussions of mercy find themselves neglecting a
major thought in God's merciful dealings with His
children. However, we rejoice greatly that our Lord
does not forget His mercies and lovingkindnesses unto
us, nor does He overlook any thing. One of things
that is disturbing to behold in theological
discussions is the thought of eternal mercy coupled
with timely justice. Some in the religious world
claim to hold to the doctrine of the mercy of God
being relevant to eternal things, but that He gives us
justice here in this life. The reasoning is that
folks think God is obligated to give them things in
life even though they admit He mercifully gave His Son
for our eternal redemption. While I am thankful to
believe that He blesses us in our obedience to Him,
let us never forget that His mercy (here in time) is
what makes that possible. He could have declared no
timely mercy regardless of our walk, but thanks be
unto Him that He declares Himself merciful unto us
when we seek and follow after Him.
The thoughts of timely mercies are very relevant to
us today as we stand in need of mercy every hour.
Earlier in the 103rd Psalm, David declares that God
has not dealt with us after our iniquities.
Thankfully, that includes this life as well, for the
chastisement we feel when going astray pales in
comparison to the suffering that we deserve (justice)
for our wicked actions. He has seen fit to bless us
and extend His mercy, and the thought reaches a
culmination (of sorts) in verse 14. Notice the
language that David employs. God "knoweth" our frame
but "remembereth" that we are dust. What is the
difference between knowing and remembering? To know
something is seen in the sense of what is rapidly
pulled into focus in our minds. For example, there
are things we can say almost without thinking about
them due to our expertise in that field. My
occupation (electrical engineering) requires that
certain concepts and principles need to be ready at
hand to use. I can say that I know these things, and
I really do not have to think about them. But, to
remember something is to call something back to mind
that has not been thought of in a good while. For
example, when families get together and reminisce, we
remember things that we had not brought into focus
sometimes in many years.
So, God knows our frame, but He remembers our dust.
What are we to make of this comparative language? If
we look at Paul's description of God's salvation for
the elect family of God, we find that every action of
the process is in the past tense. God foreknew us,
predestinated us, called us, justified us, and
glorified us. Each is in the past. We know from our
observations that glorification has not yet come topass manifestly. But, to the mind of God, it is as
good as done and perfectly complete. He can see and
know that the resurrection is a reality that cannot be
stopped or thwarted. Therefore, Paul employs language
from God's perspective and not ours. The same thought
could be seen in the sense of the calling. We know
that not all of God's elect family has yet been called
out of nature's darkness in the regeneration. But,
God sees the calling in the past tense, which shows
forth that every lamb's vital union to Him is secure
and firm with none to stop or stay His hand from the
purpose.
Therefore, when God looks at His children here, He
sees us glorified through the glorious image of His
Son seated at His own right hand. His blood is what
God looks through to see every heir covered, washed,
sanctified, and even glorified. Now, if that is God's
perspective, what do we discover about David's
refrain? Let us say, for example, that someone had
the ability to see the entirety of their children's
lives. Could I have the ability to see every thing
that would happen to my son for the rest of his life
and know from that sight that he would end up all
right, how would that affect my actions toward him?
How easy it would be to say, "He's going to be all
right, for I can see the end and know that he will be
fine." Such knowledge might make us less merciful and
compassionate as we know that things will turn out all
right. But, God, as the ultimate parent, does not do
so with His children.
His mercy is such that even though He sees us
glorified in the resurrection, He calls to remembrance
our current dust. You see dear friends, He knows our
frame (knows that one day our frame will be fashioned
like unto Christ), but remembers the present
circumstance. Our present circumstance is still
housed in a body of death and corruption. Our present
circumstance prevents us from giving Him the noblest
of praises. My own experience is such that I mourn
when my voice falters in the song service, when my
preaching tongue becomes thick and stammering, and my
steps are fraught with folly. But, our Lord calls to remembrance our present
circumstance and is merciful to our many infirmities.
He could have never grant natural healing, knowing
that our body will one day be glorified, but He
continues His lovingkindness to provide sufficient
timely grace that helps our often infirmities.
May we offer unto Him praises and offerings with all
of our being. We understand that our feeble, dusty
frame falters and waxes weak with every passing day.
But, may we ever renew our effort and zeal toward Him,
for He comes to where we are. He brings mercies daily
that sustain and console us. We look forward in
anticipation to the resurrection, but He sees it
firmly done and accomplished. We sees our daily
shortcomings and weak efforts, but may we be ever
thankful that He remembers them and both knows what
will be and sees what is. Praise His glorious name
not only for eternal mercy in heaven and immortal
glory but mercies here as well to bless us even when
our efforts fall short of praising and extolling Him
as we should.
In Hope,
Bro Philip
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