Feb
9
Written by:
Bob Flynn
2/9/2010 6:27 AM
God made us to serve him, and enjoy him; but by sin we have made ourselves unfit to serve him, and to enjoy him. We ought, therefore, continually to beseech him, by his Holy Spirit, to give us understanding. The comforts some have in God, should be matter of joy to others. But it is easy to own, that God's judgments are right, until it comes to be our own case. All supports under affliction must come from mercy and compassion. The mercies of God are tender mercies; the mercies of a father, the compassion of a mother to her son. They come to us when we are not able to go to them. Causeless reproach does not hurt, and should not move us. The psalmist could go on in the way of his duty, and find comfort in it. He valued the good will of saints, and was desirous to keep up his communion with them. Soundness of heart signifies sincerity in dependence on God, and devotedness to him. (Matthew Henry)
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! (Psalms 139:13-17 ESV)
Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. (Psalms 119:73 ESV)
You made me; You created me. Now give me the sense to follow Your commands. (Psalms 119:73 NLT)
With all of our modern science and intellectual prowess, today in this 21st century, we cannot for certain say when life begins, nor when it ends. Those who did swear by Hippocratic oath to do no harm may opine while those who sit upon the bench adorned in flowing black robes judge as to the day of viability or quality but only for the purpose to determine a lawful killing. Yet it is the Psalmist that captures the eternal truth. Life begins with a thought of Deity. When Him, in Whom, by Whom, and for Whom, were all things created did think of you! That was when you life began! There is no one in the universe like you! You are absolutely unique right down to the last amino acid that resides upon your genome. You are "fearfully and wonderfully made." Yet in our falleness we are forewarned, "You created me. Now give me the sense to follow Your commands." Because of my sin, my reprobate mind will try to lead me in the path of this world (satanic system) through the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the boastful pride of life. But the still small voice (probably quite loud for those of us who are hearing impaired — translated "fingers in ears") leads us toward the Light of Christ our Savior. Who will be our guide today? Will it be wisdom of the physician, the judge, self or the King? Will we recognize that we are children of the "wayward wind" and require a shepherd? Will we confess our great need for the "sense to follow"?
Because God does not leave his work that he has begun, he desires a new grace: that is, that he would continue his mercies. (Geneva Bible Translation Notes)