His Mercy Endureth Forever.
By E. L. Graves
The tender mercies of the Lord are over his people, and he will never leave nor forsake them unless they first turn away from him, and, like ancient Israel, despise his counsel. And how ungrateful was the course of this people! God planted them in the land of Canaan, a land that was beautiful, which flowed with milk and honey and abounded with goodly fruits. He gave them the precious promise that if they would obey his voice and keep his commandments, they should be a peculiar treasure unto him above all people, a kingdom of priests, a holy nation, and that his watchcare should be over them; yet they turned away from him and united with the wicked nations around them. They participated in the idolatrous worship of these nations, and caused their children to pass through the fire to the gods of the heathen. What could have been more insulting to the God of Heaven? But he did not forsake his people—those whom he had chosen for his inheritance. After they had rebelled against him, he still pleaded with them, and said, “Turn ye, turn ye; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” What a merciful God! And he is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever. He has ever been merciful to his erring children. He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should turn to him and live. He said, that even when he was about to destroy a nation for its wickedness, if that nation would turn to him with all the heart, that instant he would repent of the evil that he thought to do unto them. He is just as merciful to the remnant of his people—those upon whom the ends of the world are come—and does not leave them without a warning message to prepare them for the inheritance which is “incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away.” Shall we, like ancient Israel, wickedly depart from God, and set our affections upon the things of this world? Shall we desire to be like the ungodly around us, and in a little time perish with them? We read that “Israel was to dwell alone, and not be reckoned among the nations.” Why was this? Because by uniting with these nations, they were led into idolatry. Are the nations becoming better at the present day? Let Paul answer: “This know also,203that in the last days perilous times shall come; for men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers,” &c. The Saviour said, “And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.” Then, the earth was filled with violence,” and “all flesh had corrupted his way before the Lord.” Jesus says of those that come out from the world and are separate, “He that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers; even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star.” Again he says, “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” Shall we be among the overcomers? We may be. The grace of God is sufficient. “For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.” “Beneath his watchful eye
His saints securely dwell;
That hand which bears all nature up
Shall guard his children well.” E. L. Graves.
Battle Creek, Mich.