Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.
The question is the fearful, anguished cry of a doubting soul asking whether God has stopped showing grace, favor and compassion and has in anger shut up His tender mercies. It is the voice of those in trial who fear that favor has ceased and graciousness has ended. In times of widespread spiritual decline it becomes the fear that the decline itself means God has forgotten to be gracious and has closed the door of mercy. That alarm centers on the scarcity of conversions and the hardness of sinners, yet such decline is not proof that God has arbitrarily withdrawn His grace, but follows from people's neglect or rejection of divine light.
The answer is assurance that God has not forgotten to be gracious nor shut up His mercy in anger, but remains merciful, full of tender compassion and loving-kindness. That mercy is held out to the afflicted and to those who are tried and tempted. The fear is answered by looking to Jesus, in whom God's truth, loving-kindness, compassion and love are revealed. His heavenly mediation and continuing work as humanity's representative and Advocate assure believers that God remains faithful to His promises, for Jesus lives and will not leave those who trust themselves to Him.
The cross answers the fear, for God's gift of His Son proves that He loves the world and has not withheld His mercy. The completed work of redemption at the cross shows that God is true and has not forgotten to be gracious or withheld His tender mercies. Sorrow follows when His counsel is not heeded, but those who rest in the Saviour can have peace and joy.
The question is the fearful, anguished cry of a doubting soul asking whether God has stopped showing grace, favor and compassion and has in anger shut up His tender mercies. It is the voice of those in trial who fear that favor has ceased and graciousness has ended. In times of widespread spiritual decline it becomes the fear that the decline itself means God has forgotten to be gracious and has closed the door of mercy. That alarm centers on the scarcity of conversions and the hardness of sinners, yet such decline is not proof that God has arbitrarily withdrawn His grace, but follows from people's neglect or rejection of divine light.
The answer is assurance that God has not forgotten to be gracious nor shut up His mercy in anger, but remains merciful, full of tender compassion and loving-kindness. That mercy is held out to the afflicted and to those who are tried and tempted. The fear is answered by looking to Jesus, in whom God's truth, loving-kindness, compassion and love are revealed. His heavenly mediation and continuing work as humanity's representative and Advocate assure believers that God remains faithful to His promises, for Jesus lives and will not leave those who trust themselves to Him.
The cross answers the fear, for God's gift of His Son proves that He loves the world and has not withheld His mercy. The completed work of redemption at the cross shows that God is true and has not forgotten to be gracious or withheld His tender mercies. Sorrow follows when His counsel is not heeded, but those who rest in the Saviour can have peace and joy.