His Lovingkindness is better than life !

Ps.103:1-4,“Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,”

In Hebrew, “lovingkindness” is translated as “chesed” (חֶסֶד), which refers to  a deep, loyal love, often spoken as God’s unwavering kindness and mercy towards humanity; it can also represent acts of compassion and giving oneself fully with love and generosity. We see this divine extraordinary love showered on entire humanity, irrespective of one’s doings, history or anything else. And its more visible in lives of God’s children even as they go through challenges of life. This lovingkindness comes as a gentle encouraging pat on the back as one goes through much pain of trials and persecutions. This keeps one going ahead, being assured of God’s presence in fire and overwhelming water like valleys of life.

Acts 28:1-2, “And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.”  Apostle Paul and 276 co-passengers, travelling to Rome were entangled midway in the tempest of the sea. The ship was caught, and could not head into the wind. As they were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. On the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. Neither sun nor stars appeared for many days. All hope that they would be saved was finally given up. They had not eaten for 14 days as they were gripped with fear.  In the midst of all this, Paul cheered them up, assuring of safety of their lives as the Lord had promised him.  Though the ship broke,  it was that they all escaped safely to land. Some on boards and some on parts of the ship.

After such an exhausting and shattering journey, they landed in Melita, which was inhabited by barbarous natives. Moreover, it was cold and was raining. But the Lord turned the barbarous nature of natives to unusual kindness, without which they would not be comforted. They kindled a fire and welcomed them. This kindness was unexpected from barbarous natives . Later God did miracles among them through the apostle which caused the natives of Melita honor them in many ways. When they departed, they provided them all  things that were necessary. The people with Paul had thrown off many essential things off the ship in effort to save the ship. They had literally lost all they had, though their lives were saved. But God used the barbarous natives of Malta to provide them all necessary things for their journey ahead. This is the Lord’s lovingkindness which comforts and renews the strength of His children, to run the rest of the race ahead.

2 Samuel 9 :1, “Now David said, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” V-3, “And Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is lame in his feet.” V 7-8, “So David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.” Then he bowed himself, and said, “What is your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I?” Though Jonathan and David had a unique friendship, Saul’s hatred for David did not allow them to be together for long. Later Jonathan was killed in the battle with his father and brothers. But David remembered his loyalty and tried to show kindness to his family for Jonathan’s sake. Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s lame son was blessed to eat from royal table of king David all the rest of his life. This was an unexpected and a great relief and comfort for Mephibosheth who called himself a dead dog. The handicap might have caused him much pain and loneliness. But the loyalty of his father shown to David did not go in vain. Though his father was no more there to take care of him, the lovingkindness of the Lord caused David to shower and crown Mephibosheth with royal comfort all days of his life.

Our Lord is a just God. He rewards the good and punishes the evil. We being His children are chastised time and again for purification, sanctification and our spiritual growth. But His tender mercies is like a balm on wounds of chastisement. It’s a pat and embrace of understanding of our struggles. It’s a hand that pulls up our weary and exhausted beings. It’s a gentle voice that whispers encouragement into our innermost beings. It’s a great assurance of His presence in the darkest times of life. It pushes us from behind to keep going and not give up. When the psalmist says that He crowns us with tender mercies and lovingkindness, indeed they stand out in our lives, proclaiming His grace that strengthens us.

GOD bless us all.