0209. Grace Longing

Grace Longing

"And David said: Is there yet any left of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him?" (2Sa_9:1).

The spirit of grace is beautifully expressed in this passage. One can easily discern yearnings of the heart; one can readily discover the longings of the soul, in the words, "Is there any left?"

Oh, that we might better understand the heart of God! The Bible gives some striking examples of this very thing.

1. Christ longs for Israel. Hear Him as He opens up His heart! "All day long have I stretched forth My hands unto a disobedient and a gainsaying people" (Rom_10:21). What words of love are these! Words expressing no superfluity of suave insincerity, but words expressing the innermost yearnings of the great heart of the great and eternal God.

Is there anything more tender than this? "When Israel was a child, I loved him." "I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by the arms." "I drew them with the cords of a man, with bands of love." "How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? How shall I deliver thee, Israel?" (Hos_11:1-8).

What depths of yearning we have in these words–words, expressing a love that cannot be shaken. Chastisement may endure for the night, but forgiveness will come to Israel in the morning.

2. Christ longs after His Church. Listen! "He loved His Church and bought it." The Church wanders, forgetting its first love, and touching the farthest reach of its defection in Laodicea. Yet, it is unto the Church at Laodicea, that Christ says: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come in unto him and sup with him, and he with Me." What words of grace and of longing are these!

Surely the Church is dear to the heart of our Lord; and His grace will finally present us, without spot, or blemish or any such thing, before the presence of His glory.

3. Christ longs after the whole world. "God so loved the world," is enough; but much more than this is said. Behold the depths of God’s grace in such words as these: "Come unto Me ALL ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest:" "I am the Door, by Me if any man will enter in, he shall be saved:" Twice in one chapter, in Joh_3:15 and in Joh_3:16, do we find the very same words: "That whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish." The very last call of the Bible is: "Whosoever will, let him come."

Of a truth, God longs after the lost. He calls for him to come. He would that "all should come unto repentance." Our God is "The God of all grace."

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR