September 20: THE MAGNANIMITY OF GOD
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10
The word name means character. Intimate time with the Lord brings a growing knowledge of His majestic, magnanimous, mighty, and merciful character. His written word comes alive within the soul that seeks to know Him. Learning of His character is accompanied by enablement to discern our own character flaws. This is not meant to discourage! The Source of all truth gives us the truth because He loves us. The very core of His character is love, and because of the depth of His love that He had for us before we were ever created (Jeremiah 1:5a), He created us in His own image (Genesis 1:26-27). When we learn of this intent, we can begin to appreciate His divine forbearance, understanding that He is extending His mercy to everyone. Praise Him that His power to create is wholly matched by His power to re-create!
The revelation of the holy character of the Redeemer teaches us that He is abundantly more willing to bless than we are willing to receive. The heavenly blessings He desires to bestow are unlimited. There are countless promises for us in the written word, but all too often we are not seeking to fulfill the simple conditions upon which these promises are to be granted. In this way, we actively and willfully limit the working of His power in and among us.
Whenever we are confronted with our own sins and character flaws, we must run directly to our Creator with an earnest prayer of confession and repentance. This is the only safe action to take! King David certainly recognized that, starting with a glance which progressed to a gaze of covetousness, the sin in his heart rapidly grew into full-blown adultery and murder. By his subsequent prayer before the God of heaven, we can sense the agony and regret that weighed upon him:
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions… Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me….do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Psalm 51:1-3a, 10-12.
David clearly understood that, apart from the upholding of the Holy Spirit, he was doomed; his heartfelt prayer can be your prayer and my prayer as well! Our part is to run to Him! He will never force us to do so: it is our own willingness to follow Him that determines the direction of our lives toward everlasting life. The essential character trait of humility is extended to us by the Holy Spirit—if only we are willing to accept this gift! Acceptance of this priceless gift is the very thing that pushes pride aside, clearing the way for our spiritual growth along with our positive witness to others:
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You. (v.13)