MERCY FOR NATIONS

“If that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it!” (Jer. 18:8 NKJV).

The Lord is not only a God of judgment upon evil, but is also a God of mercy. This is clearly spelled out in His Word. Mercy provides an opportunity for mankind to repent of sin in order to escape the Divine judgment that is due for sin. And although sinning Israel is in view here, the principle applies to all nations. Three things are said of Israel - the retribution for Israel, the reformation of Israel, and the reprieve for Israel.

Retribution for Israel - “That nation against whom I spoken.” Israel had rebelled against God and as a result, judgment had been pronounced upon them for their sin. Their situation was a perilous one. Our nation also has the judgment of God hanging over it because of our sin. We have rebelled against God and His ways and immorality seem to be the norm in our land. As a result Divine judgment is headed our way.

Reformation of Israel - “Turns from its evil.” Here God is urging Israel to change their ways. Turning from evil was the reforming that was needed. This reforming involves repentance and forsaking of sin. Similarly, if our nation is to escape Divine judgment, we must also change our ways. We must confess our sin and turn from it.

Reprieve for Israel - “I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it.” God does not “relent” in the same sense that man relents. When man relents, he confesses his sin and is sorry for his sin. God has no sin to confess. The relenting of God spoken of here is the giving of Israel a reprieve from judgment. When a nation turns from their sin and turns to God, they will gain a reprieve from God regarding judgment. But if there is no reforming, there will be no reprieving.

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“God is more willing to pardon than to punish. Mercy does more multiply in Him than sin in us. Mercy is His nature!”

Thomas Watson (1620 – 1686)

Puritan Preacher and Author

Word Study

Distress

In Rom. 2:9 we read, “There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek” (NASB).

Distress is the Greek word stenochōria (στενοχωρία = sten-okh-o-ree'-ah). It is made up of two words, “stenos” which means narrow, and “chora” which means place. Thus the word means narrowness of space, confined space. Literally, stenochōria speaks of a narrow place, a confined space and the pain associated with this condition. Metaphorically, it refers to great anxiety and distress of mind, such as arises when a person does not know where to turn or what to do for relief.

In classical Greek stenochōria carries the idea of being confined. In the Septuagint, stenochōria is used to express the idea of distress or suffering. In the New Testament, stenochōria also carries the idea of distress. It conveys the idea of anguish, dire calamity, and extreme affliction. In his discussion of his “thorn in the flesh” the apostle Paul said he took “pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:7-10 NKJV).

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – Messiah would be killed (Isa. 53:8)

New Testament Fulfillment – Matt. 27:35

Did You Know…

In the Bible it states that in Jesus we have been made complete (Col. 2:10).

Bible Quiz

How many angels were seen in the sepulcher?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz: What was the name of the hill where the Lord Jesus was crucified? Calvary (Luke 23:33), or Golgotha, “the place of the skull” (John 19:17)

Names of the Lord Jesus Found in the Bible

“Immanuel”

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us!” (Matt. 1:23 NKJV).

1. Meaning – The Lord Jesus is God with us.

2. Insights – The Lord Jesus was born on earth as a real human being. He entered space and time to become one of us so that we might be with God forever.

3. Related Titles – Only Begotten Son (God) (John 1:18).

Did You Know – Christian History

Horatius Bonar was born December 19, 1808 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was a Scottish churchman, poet, and an extraordinary hymn writer.

Bonar attended the University of Edinburgh, and coming from a long line of ministers who served in the Church of Scotland, it was no surprise that he himself entered the Ministry of the Church of Scotland. At first he was put in charge of mission work at St. John’s Parish in Leith. He joined the Free Church at the time of the Great Disruption of 1843, and in 1867 moved to Edinburgh to take over the Chalmers Memorial Church. In 1883, he was elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland.

As a young pastor, Bonar earnestly preached in villages and farmhouses throughout his district. He saw evangelization in a different light from his contemporaries. “We think if we can but get men converted, it does not much matter how. Our whole anxiety is, not ‘How shall we secure the glory of Jehovah, but how shall we multiply conversions?’” To Bonar, Christ had to come first.

Bonar was a voluminous and highly popular author who also served as the editor of “The Quarterly journal of Prophecy” from 1848 to 1873 and of the “Christian Treasury” from 1859 to 1879. In addition to many books and tracts, Bonar was a prolific hymn writer. Many of his hymns, e.g., “I heard the voice of Jesus Say,” “Rejoice and Be Glad” and “Blessing and Honor and Glory and Power,” became known all over the English speaking world. Bonar was also author of several biographies of ministers he had known, including “The Life of the Rev. John Milne of Perth” and “The Life and Works of the Rev. G. T. Dodds.”

A man of prayer and song, Bonar was also a man of sorrow. Five of his children died young. Later, his widowed daughter and her five children had to move in with him. Instead of groaning at the added burden, Bonar rejoiced. To him it was as if God had given him five children to replace those he had lost.

When Bonar died on July 31, 1889, his wish was respected; no biography was written of him. Just a few memories and a short sketch of his life have come down to us.

A Little Humor

At the weekly Bible study, the leader asked an elderly gentleman, Walt, to open the meeting with prayer. Walt did so in a soft voice. Another man, straining to hear, shouted, “I can’t hear you!” Walt replied, “I wasn’t talking to you.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Education can polish men, but only the blood of Christ can cleanse them!”