“I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which He hath bestowed on them according to His mercies, and according to the multitude of His lovingkindnesses.” (Isaiah 63:7)
In the previous verses, 1-6, Isaiah prophesies how the Lord will have vengeance on the enemies of His people and the church. The Lord is pictured with His garments stained with the blood of the enemies of His people. We know it’s Jesus because Isaiah states that He says, “...mine own arm brought salvation unto me...”
Then in our verse, Isaiah says that he will mention the praise due for the Lord’s mercy, pity and kindness in all the Lord has done for Israel. Isaiah mentions the “great goodness” God has given Israel and the abundance of His favor and goodness, all undeserved, then to them and now to us.
God doesn’t owe us anything. From the beginning, with Adam and Eve, we have betrayed Him. We have turned away from the Giver of Life. We can certainly praise Him and glorify Him for all of His undeserved goodness, mercy, pity and kindness to His people and the church. Besides His praises, we should cry out mercy because we know our wickedness. In His goodness the Lord even helps that part of us that isn’t redeemed, our flesh.
“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Romans 2:1-4) We do judge because we know God’s goodness has forgiven us, we forget that were it not for the Lord, we’d be in the same condition. But in our flesh, we are the most wicked. Our very heart deceives us. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
How great is the goodness of the Lord! This is not a question but a statement of awe. We cannot fathom His goodness toward us that shed grace in our lives. We cannot measure it. “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:4-7) We cannot even boast of our faith and love because it didn’t proceed from us. Even that is given freely. “And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 1:14)
So do praise Him and exalt Him. He is worthy. Lets praise Him and exalt Him for His goodness and grace in our lives. And like God’s people of old, remember all the goodness He has bestowed on us. Where do we begin? Even before we were born, He knew us, our past, present and future. The Lord told Jeremiah, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)
We cannot fathom His mercy, even to the unregenerated, the sinner and His enemies. I remember when I was a child afraid of the dark, demons swirling and terrorizing. There was a spirit of peace that would come. He would come into the room and bring His peace. He would come into the room but stand away from me. And I would wonder, who is this that brings calm and safety? I didn’t know Him. He was from God. I knew that. He always brought that peace I needed so I could sleep. Yes, I’ve heard the testimonies of God’s grace extended to the sinner in need. He is near even to those who reject Him.
He is nearer still to those who love Him, to those who received His sacrifice, His blood, His forgiveness, His light and His life. We are His children. He will not deny us our desires. “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” (Psalms 37:4)
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