Steadfast Love

Psalm 86:15 ESV

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

Penned by David

Unknown period of time when this took place

vs 1-7, David cries out in great need for God to hear and act on his behalf.

vs 8-10 David declares God as the only true God—the lord of the nations.

vs 11-13, David asks for God to teach him and unite his heart to fear God so that he can glorify Him forever.

vs 14-17, David appeals to God’s mercy, grace and steadfast Love to deliver him.

Psalm 86:14 ESV

O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seeks my life, and they do not set you before them.

David was a man after God’s own heart. WHY?

Did not seek refuge in sinful men. He did not sell his soul to other kings for protection

A lesson for us when we seek help

Ps 51 -Perfect example of true repentance

God’s Mercy and Grace

God’s mercy and grace is essential to the salvation of all men. Without it, we would have “no hope” of being saved

Ephesians 2:12 ESV

remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Another scriptural principal connected to God’s mercy is that God saves only those who understand they are lost.

When David’s sin with Bathsheba - The Lord did not “put away” King David’s sin until he confessed, “I have sinned against the Lord”

2 Samuel 12:13 ESV

David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.

Slow to Anger

2 Peter 3:9 ESV

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

“Slow to Anger” is one of the most used attribute in scripture to describe God.

Just imagine if the greatest or only attribute of God was is wrath

I would not be speaking with you now.

Why does Christian love suffer long? It is because Christians imitate Christ, who imitates God the Father, and long-suffering is a chief characteristic of God.

So glad God is not like me:

We get angry when we don’t get our way - especially when you know your way is the right way or best way.

God is always in control. He does not get angry because He doesn’t misunderstand, fall short, or suffer from a sin-sick world. God’s anger is surrounded by mercy, grace, love and compassion.

God’s long suffering delays Christ coming - NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH

God’s Love

Love does not encompass all of God’s characteristics

But if every one of God’s characteristics was to be summarized in a single word, only one word could suffice: LOVE!

God is not merely a loving God, but God is love, and love defines His very essence.

Every action of God has been carried out, ultimately, because of His magnificent love.

1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

John 13:34 ESV

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

Question - how has God loved you?

An immediate thought is of the material

home, good health, wife, children, job, etc

John 3:16 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 5:6–8 ESV

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.