The Mercy of the Lord

Psalm 103:17,18 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;..To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

He is a God of love and mercy. His love reaches to the deepest and most insignificant parts of the earth. Yet, to them that fear Him and keep His commandments His mercy is promised them and to their children. God is no respecter of person, and will have mercy on all that will enter into His gates. All have sinned and come short of God’s approbation. But mercy was extended. We were all condemn to everlasting punishment, but the mercy of God made a way of escape. He is a God of compassion and desires to forgive all that are willing to confess their sin(s) and to keep His covenant. Love and mercy follow all that abide in Christ. Those who live in Christ do not have to ask for His love and mercy, for God’s love and mercy abides in those who live in Christ and keep His commandments.

The East from the West

Psalm 103:12 “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.”-

“to such as keep His covenant, and to those that remember His commandments to do them” God’s love is unconditional. He loves people and desires that people will follow Him. He sent His Son to earth to live and die on a cross that our sins may be cast in the sea of God’s forgetfulness. He rose from the dead that we may experience new life in Christ. His mercy does not over look sin, but His mercy will forgive sin to those who will yield their hearts to Him. To those who keep His commandments and come unto to Him that He may give us rest. His covenant is for us to humble ourselves before the presence of Him and He will take our sins and remove them as far as the east is from the west, never to be remember again. We look back and see how sin destroyed our lives and separated us from His fellowship, but the Lord is Great is mercy to them that fear Him, and will not bring up our past that is under the blood. His blood covers a multitude of sins and are never remember against us again. 

For Those Who Love Him

Nehemiah 1:5 “and said: “I beseech thee, O Lord God of heaven, the great and fearsome God, who keepeth covenant and mercy for those who love Him and observe His commandments,”-

The promises of God most often come with some conditions. He promise never to leave us or forsake us. But if we rebel against His will and walk away from His commandments, then He is not obligated based on His word to be with us. He still may pursue us and entreat us to return, but His presence in our lives is no longer assured. For those who truly love Him and are doing their best to follow His will, He will stay true to His word. He will not forsake us if we wholly submit to His will and keep His commandments. Their is a work to be done and He calls each of us to answer the call. He has promised to go with us to guide and direct our path. The task may seem unsurmountable, but He is a great and awesome God who is able to give us the power and grace to do what needs to be done. For those who love Him, He will make a path and walk with us. 

God's Covenant with Noah

Genesis 9:8-17

Scientifically, the rainbow that appears in the sky after a rain shower is merely the result of the sun hitting water droplets. The sunlight is then divided into its many different colors resulting in a beautiful spectrum of colors in the shape of a “bow”. Critics of God’s Word have scoffed and ridiculed the claims of the origin of the rainbow given to us here in scripture. The assumption is a rainbow never appeared until after the flood. I don’t claim to know and understand the exact interpretation given to us in this account, but this I know, God gave the rainbow to Noah and mankind as a reminder of His everlasting covenant. He is true to His word and He will keep His promises.

Establishing a Covenant vs.9
• Individual and personal promises “I will make you…”
• Social promises “If my people…”
• His creation- all living things

Everlasting Covenant vs. 16
• The earth shall not be destroyed again by water.
• Scientific and political controversy of “Global warming”
• A token, a sign to remind us of His Faithfulness
• Promises that are handed down from generation to generation

Entering into Covenants “I will”
• God initiated the covenant
• God always keep His side of the promise
• Sacredness of making covenants
• The lack of covenant making
• Keeping our promises

Noah and the Ark

Gen: 6:9-22

The flood of the earth as describe in scripture has been a point of debate for many years and among many scholars. When, how, and where this event took place, certainly makes for good conversation and discussion. But, it is not are indent here to discuss such issues. It is sufficient to say that God was displeased with the way man was living. He found a man who was righteous and willing to warn others of the judgment to come and to build an ark of safety. God, the creator of earth destroyed the earth with water, sparing Noah and his family from the destruction. Like Noah, we also can find grace in the eyes of God through Christ Jesus who is our “Ark of Safety”

Character of Noah (just and perfect v9)
• Among his contemporaries he lived just
• Our responsibility to live holy and just in this present age
Condition of the World (it was corrupt v11)
• The conduct of the human race was sinful in God’s sight
• The world was filled with violence
• Humanity is filled with hatred and lust for blood
• Such is the entertainment world of our generation
• Everywhere we turn, we find sin as the norm of life- acceptable
Condemning of the World (end of all flesh is come v13)
• The mercy of the Lord has come to an end
• Destroyed with water – deep of the earth and heavens above
• As it was in the day of Noah, so shall it be….
Construction of the Ark (this is the fashion v15)
• 430ftL x 75ftW x 45ftH- gopher wood and pitch
• Windows at the top for ventilation
• Door at the side- 3 stories or 3 tiers
• Ark of Safety- Christ is our rock, fortress, shelter in time storm
Covenant to Noah (I establish my covenant v18)
• God’s promise to Noah that he and is family would be spared
• As long as we stay in the “Ark” we will be protected.
Collecting of Species (two of every sort thou shall bring v19)
• Male and female – procreation
• Keep them alive through the provisions that were gathered
Commandment is followed (thus Noah did v22)
• Obedience is crucial if we are to maintain His grace
• According to God and not man- Follow Christ, not man.

The Death of Elisha

2 Kings 13: 14-25

Review: Joash in his early years of his reign desired for the house of God (temple) to be restored. It pleases the Lord that His house be maintained and presented acceptable at all times. This is only accomplish when those who worship there are willing to give of their resources. Not giving to the needs of the house of God is a reflection of one’s attitude toward the work of the church and God’s kingdom.

The Passing of a Prophet

• A life of plains, valleys, and mountain top experiences
• Weeping for Elisha- Joash stability was leaving
• Regarded as more importance than all the armies of Israel

The Prophecy of the Prophet

• Demonstrated the meaning of the arrows
• Shooting the arrow eastward
• The defeat of the enemy- Syrians in Aphek
• Joash strikes the arrow only 3 times- Limiting God’s power

The Passion of the Prophet

• He was wroth.
• Joash knew better- He refuse to believe
• He was disappointed and frustrated with Joash
• He saw Joash as a faithless man who depended on his own.

The Power of Influence of the Prophet

• Man made alive in Elisha’s tomb
• Bore testimony his character-activity- preserver- life giver
• Bore witness to his connection to God- “Surely this was a prophet of God”
• God still wanted to work his divine purpose for Israel even though the prophet was no longer on earth.
• It showed that God was the “God of the living and dead”

The Promise of the Prophet fulfilled

• God kept his promise/covenant with Israel
• The promises of God are always kept, but we must also keep our promises that we make to God.