Imitating Our Father

There is a characteristic of our Father that is a part of our DNA as His sons and daughters that we are seeing less evident in the Church today. God’s heart for people.

Now, you may be thinking, “Bro. Barry, hold up. What do you mean the Church is showing less of God’s heart today? What about all of the programs that provide food and clothing for the homeless and the needy? And, what about all of the outreach programs we have in our communities? Surely you can see how the Church is demonstrating God’s heart.”

I understand what you are saying, and I don’t disagree with you that many of these programs are good and in many cases, necessary. But a program cannot showcase God’s heart for people. For some in the Church, participating in a program is like showing up for a Sunday morning service. It’s just something they do.

“Okay, Bro. Barry, help me see what you see. Help me understand how the Church can show more of God’s heart for people.”

God’s heart is seen in His mercy.

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for mercy is hesed. It’s a word that indicates kindness, lovingkindness, mercy, goodness, faithfulness, love, or acts of kindness.

Hesed is used 26 times in Psalm 136 to proclaim that God’s kindness and love are eternal. The psalmist makes it clear that God’s kindness and faithfulness is the foundation for His character and His actions.

As I thought about this, I was reminded of how Michael Card, one of my favorite authors, painted a picture of the One Who is hesed. He said, “When the person from whom I have a right to expect nothing gives me everything.” I love this.

Hesed is the word that God uses to define Himself again and again.

Psalm 136:1 – O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy (the One from whom I have a right to expect nothing has given me everything.) endureth for ever.

Psalm 136:7 – To Him that made great lights: for His mercy (the One from whom I have a right to expect nothing has given me everything.) endureth for ever:

Psalm 136:8 – The sun to rule by day: for His mercy (the One from whom I have a right to expect nothing has given me everything.) endureth for ever:

Psalm 136:9 – The moon and stars to rule by night: for His mercy (the One from whom I have a right to expect nothing has given me everything.) endureth for ever.

Psalm 136:23 – Who remembered us in our low estate: for His mercy (the One from whom I have a right to expect nothing has given me everything.) endureth for ever:

Psalm 136:24 – And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for His mercy (the One from whom I have a right to expect nothing has given me everything.) endureth for ever.

Psalm 136:25 – Who giveth food to all flesh: for His mercy (the One from whom I have a right to expect nothing has given me everything.) endureth for ever.

Psalm 136:26 – O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for His mercy (the One from whom I have a right to expect nothing has given me everything.) endureth for ever.

The mercy, the hesed, that our Father gives is the beating of His heart for us and because He is our Father, that same hesed is the beating of our hearts when we are yielded to Him.

What does hesed look like in the New Testament?

We see an example of the concept of hesed (When the person from whom I have a right to expect nothing has given me everything.) in Luke 6. Jesus is about to make an impossible demand to His disciples.

Luke 6:27 – But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you.

Can you see the looks on the disciples’ faces as they glance at one another in disbelief? I can hear Peter saying under his breath, “Is He serious? Fishing is hard and now He wants us to love men who would take everything we have if given a chance. Nope, not happening.”

The word “enemies” refers to a person who displays hostility, hatred or opposition towards someone. Who was the enemy that Jesus was talking about? The disciples’ enemies would be those who would be hostile to the teachings of Jesus. In other words, Jesus’ enemies would be their enemies. Ladies and gentlemen, Jesus’ enemies are our enemies. But look at Jesus’ command to His disciples, and to us, in verse 35.

Luke 6:35 – But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: (Why does Jesus tell the disciples, and us, to do this?) for He (God, His Father and ours) is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. (Does this sound familiar? When the person from whom I have a right to expect nothing has given me everything.)