James Smith on the topic of "God's sweetest attribute"

 Men are deficient in mercy — but God, our God in Jesus, will display the greatest kindness and compassion to His children. This renders Him so amiable, suitable, and glorious in the estimation of His people. Mercy is God's sweetest attribute . . .

  as beautiful as the morning light,

  as measureless as the waters of the ocean,

  as boundless as illimitable space,

  as refreshing as the early dew,

  as glorious as the noon-day sun!

God's mercy is like His nature — pure, lovely, and eternal. His mercy is suited to all the needs of His children — it is free, full, and meets every case! Christian, the Lord assures you that He has mercy for you!

He has pardoning mercy — which will suit your sinfulness; mercy which will blot out your sins, and remove them from you as far as the east is from the west!

He has delivering mercy — which will meet your misery; mercy which will deliver you from . . .

   the power of sin,

   the bondage of Satan,

   the curse of the law,

   the fear of death,

   the terrors of judgment, and

   all the soul-troubles which may fall upon you on earth!

His mercy is tender mercy — which will suit the sickness of your soul. He will sympathize with you, pity you, and manifest the greatest forbearance and love. His mercy is so tender, that it will not break the bruised reed, or quench the smoking flax. It will . . .

  encourage the weak desire,

  fan the feeble spark into a flame,

  and take the will for the deed.

His mercy is supplying mercy — to meet your needs and defects. It will supply all your needs,according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Whether your needs are temporal or spiritual — He will supply you. He will give you both grace and glory; and no good thing will He withhold from you, if you walk uprightly.

It is also sanctifying mercy — to suit your impurity. It will wash you in the laver of the Word, and in the fountain of a Savior's blood. It will teach you to wash your robes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. It will sanctify your troubles, and make all things work together for your good.

It is rescuing mercy, which will appear for you, and deliver you from all the dangers which may line your way — and at last present you faultless before the throne of God!

In a word — God's mercy will meet every case, circumstance, and condition in which it is possible for you to be placed!

Reader, let me exhort you to dwell much on this excellent attribute of your God. Meditate on God as all-merciful and all-sufficient for our every state!

Hell

 Awhile ago, I looked at what the Bible says about Heaven.

The other day, a friend challenged me to tell them what the Bible says about Hell and the other names that seem to refer to the same place.

Here’s my attempt.

 

Tartarus: only (1) ref in KJV : deepest abyss of Hades; eternal torment

Abyss/bottomless pit (9)

Hades, (10) “unseen” place or state of departed souls

Gehenna (12) valley of Jerusalem, figuratively place or state of everlasting punishment

Sheol, (65) world of the dead (as if subterranean retreat) and accessories and inmates: grave

 

In 2 Gospels, it states Capernaum will descend to Hades.

Gates of Hades will not overpower the Lord’s Church. (interesting side note there was a cave in Caesarea Philippi where the Greco-Roman gods were worshipped/sacrificed to. It was here where Jesus told His disciples that the Gates of Hell would not prevail against the Church.)

David spoke of Christ’s soul not being abandoned to Hades, nor decaying.

The Living One has the keys of death and of Hades.

Death and Hades were given authority to kill ¼ of the population.

Death and Hades give up the dead in them and they’re thrown into the Lake of Fire which is the 2^nd death.

Jacob said he’d go down to Sheol in mourning.

Korah and those who rebelled with him descended alive into Sheol.

God’s anger fire burns to the lowest part of Sheol.

The Lord kills and makes alive, brings down to Sheol and raises up.

Cords of Sheol can surround people.

David told Solomon not to let Shimei go to Sheol in peace.

Sheol is deep. Those who go there do not return. Some make their bed/home there in darkness.

Sheol consumes those who have sinned. No one praises God there! The wicked “return” there… (interesting…)

God brought David’s soul up from Sheol, kept him alive that he wouldn’t go down to the pit.

The wicked in Sheol are put to shame.

God bought back souls from the power of Sheol.

“my soul has had enough troubles and my life has drawn near to Sheol.” Psalm 88:3 (Reading this Psalm made me think Heman the Ezrahite must have had a very rough time of it!) 

Man cannot redeem his own soul from the power of Sheol. 

It is a terrifying place but God (being omnipresent) is there too! Of course there is nowhere He is not (apart from in the thoughts of the wicked.) 

Fools go there- it is open before the Lord, it is down/below.

The disciplining of children, if they take heed, can rescue their souls from Sheol.

It is never full or satisfied. It has a large appetite.

In Sheol there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom.

Jealousy is as severe as Sheol.

It is enlarged and excited to receive Lucifer whose pomp and music has been brought down to Sheol and Lucifer himself will be thrust down there.

Though people think they can make a pact with it, it is deception- it would not stand.

It has gates. It cannot thank God.

It has power and sting.

Hell is fiery; bodies and souls are thrown there; people are sentenced there and God has authority to cast there.

The tongue is set on fire by hell.

God casts the sinning angels there.

The fire is not quenched and the worm doesn’t die.

Demons implored the Lord not to command them to go to the abyss.

An angel was given the keys to the bottomless pit.

Abaddon/Apollyon is the “angel” as king over the pit.

The beast comes up out of it, and Satan is thrown into it.

The devil, beast and false prophet are tormented in the Lake of fire and brimstone day and night forever and ever.

Eternal fire was prepared for the devil and his angels.

It will be a dreadful place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. We all deserve Hell but Thank You Heavenly Father for providing the way of escape!!! 

Thinking of Heaven

 "Heaven is a wonderful place

Filled with Glory and Grace

I want to see my Saviour's face

Heaven is a wonderful place."

(written by Debby Kerner & Ernie Rettino)

 I remember hearing this chorus as a child and singing along. I think it means more to me now than it did then. 

I'm also looking forward to seeing again the faces of the dear saints I knew and loved who are already experiencing the joy of seeing the Lord Jesus Christ face to face. 

As I looked through many references about Heaven, I was encouraged. 

He is the One who keeps us and has reserved a place for us. 

(I had only heard this partially quoted previously; I'm glad I found the fuller version as I find it encouraging and hope you do too.) 

There are many things we don't know, but we do know that Heaven is wonderful. How could it not be when we remember Who created it? His Name is Wonderful so everything He does must also be wonderful! (even though it might not always feel like that to us at the time. When we reach that land of pure delight we will thank Him as we realise the things we couldn't understand down here and recognise He led us every step of the way. How we need His grace and mercy daily!) 

The thing that most stood out to me as I looked through the verses, was the paradox of Heaven being the Lord's dwelling place when the Universe / Heaven of Heavens cannot contain Him. Also, how amazing that He condescended to dwell on this earth with us and offers us the way to share this bliss of Eternal Glory with Him!! 

I didn't include the descriptions given in Revelation; the Water of Life, the bountiful fruit trees, the pearly gates, the golden streets, and the other precious gems. 

These will all be outshone by the radiance of the Glory of the Lord. 

When the things of this life are taking up too much headspace, I like to reread the last 3 chapters of Revelation to remind myself of these truths. The Lord Jesus is returning for His people soon! And Heaven will be infinitely more amazing than my mind can think!

We who have trusted the Lord for salvation will be with the Lord, the angels, and the saints forever! It will be so glorious! I need to make sure I'm living ready! 

I'm so glad of the reminders that it is all by His grace as none of us could ever hope to earn a place in Glory. The Lord Jesus Christ has done everything necessary! We just need to trust, love and thank Him! 

As I was writing this, this verse came to mind... "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20. I think that's definitely worthy of rejoicing, don't you? 

I'll close with these, 2 of my favourite passages from the last 2 chapters. 

I hope they bless you as they do me! 

"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son." Revelation 21:4-7. (BTW, I composed this blog last week and these verses have cropped up 3 or 4 times since then.) 

"And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place. “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” Revelation 22:3-7.

My Refuge

Years ago when I took my first holiday abroad without my parents, my Mum wrote a note and
put it in my bag for me to read when I got on the plane. I don't remember anything else it said, but this verse was a great reminder for me. Just recently I read the verse again and I've found it very comforting and encouraging. Whatever life throws at us, God is our refuge and He will carry us through.

and 3 chapters previously, Deuteronomy 30:20 :
"love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days..."