Hesed

We had the amazing privilege of going to church with Scott and Karen this morning. In the smaller group, before the main service, we sat around tables and went through Psalm 36, which contrasts the wickedness of man with the steadfast love of God.  I don’t think I’ve been through this psalm at this depth before, and I came away with some insights which makes me understand the love of God just a little bit more.  

Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart;
       there is no fear of God before his eyes.
For he flatters himself in his own eyes 
       that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit; 
       he has ceased to act wisely and do good.
He plots trouble while on his bed;
       he sets himself in a way that is not good;
       he does not reject evil.
Psalm 36:1-4

The nature of the wicked man is that he has no dread of God.  The Hebrew word is stronger than fear, and shows that he lives as if God does not exist.  God, whether He exists or not, doesn’t matter, and that removes all restraint for wickedness.

Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens,
       your faithfulness to the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
      your judgments are like the great deep;
       man and beast you save, O LORD.
Psalm 36:5-6

While the wicked do not see God anywhere, the psalmist sees Him everywhere.  He talks about God’s hesed, which is translated in several ways, which our teacher summing it up as loyal love, God’s covenant commitment to his people. This and the other character traits brought out here describe a God that is not just somewhere out there, but intimately cares for us.

How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
        The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house,
        and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
       in your light do we see light.
Psalm 36:7-9

We can take refuge and delight in God’s hesed and find Him deeply satisfying.  Our teacher told us:

The picture here is of a banquet of the greatest delicacies at Yahweh’s house, and his people feasting and drinking their fill... The word translated “delights” is the plural of the word “Eden”, bringing the reader back to God’s own presence in paradise.

Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
       and your righteousness to the upright of heart!
Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me,
        nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
There the evildoers lie fallen;
       they are thrust down, unable to rise.
Psalm 36:10-12

The psalmist prays for a continuation of this hesed, and acknowledges the evil still present in this world today.  David also states what he knows to be true: that the wicked will ultimately be defeated.

The picture of hesed, of Eden, of God’s commitment to us, of what he has already done on the cross and will continue to do in spite of my failings spoke to me with assurance: God’s love is boundless, I can rest in that.

And that was just a summary.

The main service covered Romans 8:26-30.  How the Spirit of God helps us in our weakness.  He intercedes personally, as our representative, and knowingly.  I know my prayers are weak, confusing, and often interrupted by sleepiness or distractions, but the Spirit knows the mind of God and takes our prayers to God in perfect compliance with His will.

We are also eternally secure because he set his love upon me in eternity past, called me, declared me righteous, and gives me the assurance of future glory with Him.  All this is for His glory alone.

So pray on.

The service was also a musical feast, with an orchestra and a 100+ voice choir, who did a rendition of Soli Deo Gloria that was just amazing.

It’s the shout of every pilgrim
Who’s been shown the holy place
It’s the cry of every sinner
Who’s been covered by his grace
Soli Deo gloria!
To God alone be the glory!

Indeed.  What a blessing.  In more ways than one.

After having lunch at La Charria Restaurant and walking around Newhall for a bit, we went for a hike at Pacerita Canyon.  We also saw the campus of The Masters University, where some of the teachers in church this morning double as professors in various Biblical subjects.  That would explain the theologically rich teaching. We took a drive up to Pico Canyon, where Scott rides his bike a few times a week.  Imagine, having your own canyon for bike riding near your house.  Almost makes you want to live in California.  Then again, maybe not.

A day like this just goes too fast and it was soon over.  What a joy to reconnect with old friends and share a little bit of our lives once again.