11 The Character of God

The Character of God "The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy." Psalms 145:8

Nothing is more common than mistakes respecting the character of God. There are some who imagine him to be all mercy — and conclude that he will not punish sin as his word declares. Others look upon him as so stern and severe — that he will not pardon sinners as his gospel affirms. Both these views are wrong — but it is against the latter that this piece is directed.

Jehovah is Gracious. Grace is favor — favor shown to the vile and unworthy. The Lord is gracious to sinners. He shows himself favorable to them in a thousand forms. He showers down favors upon them. Favors the most costly, suitable, and enduring. That he is gracious, appears from his ancient thoughts. He has been thinking of sinners from eternity. Not how he may punish them for their sins — but how he may save them consistently with his character as a righteous God. His thoughts toward us have been peaceful. They arose in his heart, and correspond with his excellent nature, which is holiness, justice, and love. His graciousness shines also in his perfect plans. The plan of redemption, according to which he saves sinners freely by grace, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. The plan of his providence, according to which he provides for all his creatures, especially for those who seek his face and his favor. That he is gracious, is clear from the glorious provision which he has made for our pardon, peace, purity, and perfection. By the sacrifice of his Son, by the gift of his Spirit, and by the inspiration of his word — he has provided for our complete and everlasting deliverance from all evils, and for our introduction to the enjoyment of all that is good!

How gracious are his free invitations! Directed to sinners. To every sinner that hears his gospel. All are invited to come, to receive, and to enjoy the blessings of grace. They are unconditional. They are free for the vilest! They are sent to the reader of these lines, yes, my friend, the Lord says to you, "Whoever will, let him take the water of life freely." But his amazing communications especially prove him to he gracious. He has given to millions. He has given the richest blessings — to the poorest sinners. He has never refused an applicant. He has always given . . .
pardon, to the guilty;
peace, to the troubled;
strength to the weak;
righteousness, to the ungodly;
and salvation, to the lost! No one ever sought him in vain. No one ever will.

Reader, God is gracious! He has the grace which you need. He will be favorable unto you, if you seek him. He will receive you graciously. He will bless you with all spiritual blessings. He will deliver you from all your fears, and confer upon you all that you can consistently desire.

Jehovah is full of compassion. His compassion is like his nature, it is infinite. It is impossible for a finite mind, even to guess at the extent of his infinite compassion. His compassions never fail. They are as tender, as strong, and as abundant as ever.

Compassion is for sufferers. Are you suffering from sin? Does its guilt oppress you? Does its powerful workings distress you? Go to the Lord in prayer, he will have compassion upon you. He will remove your guilt, by applying the atonement. He will relieve your distress, by enabling you to conquer? He can sympathize with you. He will. Are you suffering from Satan? Does he harass your mind? Does he paint alarming figures on your imagination? Does he distress you with wicked thoughts and vile suggestions? Carry the matter to the Lord? He will rebuke the enemy. He will set you at liberty. He will enable you to overcome him, by the blood of the Lamb and the word of his grace. Are you suffering from unbelief? Do you feel as if you would believe — but cannot? As if you could believe anything but the glorious promises of the gospel? They are so great and so good, that you imagine they cannot be for you. But they are for you. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners — and you are a sinner. God gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes on him should not perish — but have everlasting life. Only believe — and eternal life is yours. But you say, "I cannot." Then go and spread your case before the Lord on his throne. He is full of compassion. He will hear you. He will give you faith. By the power of his Spirit, he will enable you to believe unto the saving of the soul. Are you suffering from providence? Does it strip you, or try you in almost every possible way? Still the compassion of your God is infinite, and the dispensations of his providence, should drive you to the provisions of his grace. His promises are for your support. His throne of grace is for you to pour out your heart before him. Fly to that throne. Plead those promises. Appeal to his compassion. Expect and wait for his intervention — and he will bless you indeed. Are you suffering from the world? Its snares? Its persecutions? In Jesus, you are promised peace. In the compassion of your God you will find solace, refreshment, and relief. He will show compassion. He will have compassion like a God.

Jehovah is backward to punish sinners. "Slow to anger." He is angry only with sin — but he is always angry with sin. Yet he is slow to show it. Mercy flies like lightning — but wrath has leaden feet. Because he is slow to anger, he . . .
warns the hardened sinner,
rebukes the daring offender,
threatens the presumptuous transgressor,
invites the careless prodigal,
expostulates with the thoughtless creature, and
uses one means after another to bring them to his feet.

He could crush them in a moment — for his power is omnipotent. He might justly hurl them into Hell — for their transgressions are of a most aggravated character. But he spares. He reasons with them. He gives them space to repent. He says, "Repent and turn from your evil ways, so iniquity shall not be your ruin!"

He is justly angry. Justice fans his anger — but mercy cools it. He is always ready to bless.

Jehovah is of great mercy. This he shows to great sinners. It shines in their salvation. It appears also in the messages he sends them; in the manner in which he receives them when they turn and seek his face; in the means he uses with them; in the favors he confers upon them; and in the height of glory to which he raises them.

He is great in mercy. It is boundless. It is as free — as it is vast. Never does Jehovah appear more glorious, than when he is showing great mercy to great transgressors. He shows mercy like a God — in a god-like way.

Sinner, this is your refuge. It is open. It is strong. The Most High Jehovah is gracious — apply to him for grace.

He is full of compassion — go to him for sympathy.

He is slow to anger — fear not that he will drive you from his throne.

He is of great mercy — expect him to glorify it in your complete salvation. This is the great aggravation of our sin, that it is committed against such a God — a God so good, so gracious, so full of compassion, of such great mercy. O to see sin as God sees it, and to hate it as God hates it!