Tuesday, February 17, 2004
Meat Fast
Great Martyr Theodore the Soldier (Tyro)
Kellia: Psalm 102:8-15 LXX Epistle: Jude 1:1-10 Gospel: St. Luke 22:39-42, 45-23:1
Psalm 102:8-15, LXX (Ps. 103:8-17 MT), especially vs. 12, "Like as a
father hath compassion upon his sons, so hath the Lord had compassion upon them that fear
Him." It is instructive to reflect on the inner life of the Prophet and King, David, who wrote
Psalm 102. He asserts that "compassionate and merciful is the Lord" and that "not according to
our iniquities hath He dealt with us" (vss. 8, 9). Observe that these statements of his are not
theoretical propositions, but expressions of experience. He had received compassion. He had
been mercifully favored. He knew that he had not received what he deserved for his sins.
We can say many things about the heart and soul of this lyrical psalmist. Deep in himself, he
knew the ugliness of sin (vs. 9). Still, he found continuing communion with the Lord, "like as a
father" (vs. 12). Though scathed by God's burning anger and pierced by Divine wrath in his
mind, spirit, and even in his flesh (vss. 8, 9), yet he affirmed a generous, healing forgiveness,
mercy, and compassion from God (vss. 9-12). From his sin, he stared, without gloss, at the
finality of the winds of time. These would pass over him and bring his own death (vss. 12-14).
Notice that, through all this experience, David tasted fear: fear as dread, as helplessness, and
most of all as reverential awe. Yet he found a fear that changed into ineffable praise and
speechless worship. Three times he interrupts his reflection to mention "them that fear Him,"
among whom, clearly, he counts himself. God's mercy is powerful, prevailing over His righteous
wrath and anger on behalf of "them that fear Him" (vs. 10). God's compassion is gentle, though
firm, upon "them that fear Him" (vs. 12). Although we mortals all are swept away by sin, yet the
Lord's mercy toward us is "unto eternity, upon them that fear Him" (vs. 15).
This meditation of David's is primarily an expression of a discovery. David found the
compassion, mercy, and long-suffering of the Lord. As a Prophet, he returned where he began, to
the graciousness of God. In wonder, as a child holding a glimmering, polished, beautiful stone,
David turned around from one surface to another, the grandeur of what he found through bitter-sweet experience. Such kindness from One Who owed him nothing and to Whom he owed
everything. He discovered a stay of execution, a withholding of wrath and anger (vs. 8).
Consequences followed his sin inexorably. Consider: we, too, know that truth! Yet, "not
according to our iniquities hath He dealt with us" (vs. 9). Far from it!
God forgives. In the infinite expanse of His creation, an immensity which the human mind can
follow only for a few light years, God has "made His mercy to prevail over them that fear Him"
(vs. 10). It is incredible! God has done this. Not our sadness and repentance. Our repentance
follows as response. The fear that wells up in the mind and emotions moved by terror comes to
rest in the center of the heart as adoration. What else is there for "them that fear Him?" Never
have we known such love! From our earthly fathers we learned stern demand mingled with love.
Even when our fathers failed us in their humanness, at least we learned what fatherhood should
be. When we meet God, there is a revelation of a Lord Who has compassion "upon them that
fear Him" (vs. 12). Our lips now can say without restraint, "Our Father."
Yes, we shall die because we have sinned - a truth David tasted to the dregs. Beloved, let us fall
down before God. He "knoweth whereof we are made" (vs. 12), for "He made Himself of no
reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and [came] in the likeness of men" (Phil 2:8).
Behold: "the mercy of the Lord is from eternity upon them that fear Him" (Ps. 102:15).
Bless the Lord, all ye His hosts, His ministers that do His will. Bless the Lord, all ye His works,
in every place of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul. (Ps. 102:19-20).
