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The Lord's Pity

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 13, 1864

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 25, No. 3.

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The Lord's Pity.

By Lera E. Dibble

"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy." Psa. ciii, 8.
When journeying through this world, confessing ourselves "pilgrims and strangers" indeed, to faith, Heaven with all its glories seems so near at times that our hands can almost touch the glittering gates, "ready to enter in;" then some strong temptation comes—we yield—and lo! in a moment the portals are closed, and we are far from them, in the backward track, enveloped again "in the shadows of this world." And oh, how discouraged we are then! We feel as if there was no use trying any longer; that the way is too straight and narrow; that salvation is not for us. The Lord seems too far off for our prayers to be of any avail; and through sheer recklessness we are ready to give ourselves up to Satan, and if possible enjoy one world.
We review our past course since we professed to love the Saviour; and the tempter ever officious in evil, hands us his glass to look through; all the places where we enjoyed the approbation of God, are concealed, and we see only the huge blots sin has made on our Christian character; and forgetting that it is in Jesus' strength we must urge our way on, we have no faith in ourselves for the future, and doubt the patience and mercy of God.
But "like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him." He pities us in our wanderings, and "he knoweth our frame, he remembereth that we are dust." If Peter who had known the Lord, and lived on familiar terms with him, could be forgiven for denying any knowledge of the one who had loved him so much, surely we may believe that he will heal us if we return to him.
We do not expect to be saved through good works alone. Christ groaned and suffered for our sins, that we might be saved, be we ever so poor or despised, as much as he did to save the great ones of earth. And what if we have temptations and sorrows? If all was bright and joyous here, we should never care to leave this world, and the great sacrifice made that we might enjoy Heaven, would be esteemed of little account. The dark hours we have, do not overshadow the light that the love of Christ sheds "abroad in our hearts" and if we live religion it will repay us even here for the little crosses we sometimes bear. But
What if we always suffer tribulation, And if our Christian warfare never cease? The gaining of the heavenly habitation Shall gather us to everlasting peace.
Oh, do not let us think of ever giving up the Christian service of Him who crowneth our lives "with lovingkindness and tender mercies," to turn to the world for happiness and sympathy. If it could not satisfy us before we knew the Lord, how utterly void and empty will it seem after having tasted his rich grace; and "what treasure in the land Egyptian" can in any measure repay us for losing Heaven and the love and companionship of angels and saints? Let us trust the mercy of Him who is so interested in our salvation; and if our faith and love fail not, he will bring us safely to his rest at last.
Lera E. Dibble.
Winspear, N. Y.