Psalm 78:38-39 - August 11, 2009

Ps 78:38-39 "Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath. 39 He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return." NIV

If only we understood the measure of God’s patient mercy! The opening words of verse 38 are striking in context to the list of offenses that Israel had committed against the Lord. Great transgressions, inconceivable degrees of unbelief following unprecedented measures of God’s supernatural assistance would seem to call for a swift and severe response of judgment if simply viewed from the level of human reaction. Our natural tendency in the face of such callousness would almost certainly be to “throw them to the lions” as they say. But the psalmist confidently declares “And yet He was merciful…” What a statement of God’s patience and character. The typical human reaction would be centered in a personal offense at how our kindness and provision was disdained and neglected but God’s way is so far above that of mankind! When faced with such a response He chooses to display the measure of His mercy not the measure of His wrath. The psalmist continues, “He forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time He restrained His anger and did not stir up His full wrath.”
Jesus taught His disciples a lesson on forgiveness. When asked how many times they should forgive someone who transgresses against them He instructed them to forgive “70 x7”. This same patience is displayed in the response of God. The psalmist reports that time after time God restrained His response of anger and wrath. Oh that we would live with such self- control. How many of us are so ruled by our spirit instead of our human emotions that we can repeatedly restrain our responses when faced with the sinfulness of others in our lives? “And yet He was merciful!” May our hearts be shaped by that mercy that always triumphs over judgment. May our words be molded by the patience of God.
How can God express such patient mercy in the face of such neglect and disrespect for His kindness? What is the secret to His restraint? It is simply understanding. Because God knows man for what He is: fallen and in need of a savior, God is able to reach out a hand of love to call him back to himself. Even though His holiness calls for justice, His love calls for mercy because He is mindful of us. In verse 39 the psalmist reflects on God’s conscious response to man’s humanity! “He remembered that they were but flesh.” What a powerful key for compassion; the remembrance of man’s condition. What a contrast between a Godly response and a carnal response. Our tendency is typically to respond based on what has been done to us or to others. God’s response includes a sincere consideration of man’s weakness and nature before He responds to their deeds. This is the secret of true compassion, awareness! When we look beyond the deed to the driving forces behind the deed, it doesn’t make the deed acceptable but our response is now tempered with mercy instead of judgment. It is as simple as the old saying, “don’t judge a man until you walk a mile in his shoes.” God walked more than a mile for us… He walked all the way to Calvary. Will you follow Him to a heart
of mercy?