Verses 1-5
-
If we are forgiven, it is God who forgives us. If we are healed of an infirmity, it is God who heals us. If we are saved from certain harm or death, it is God who saves us. If we experience satisfaction and see our youthfulness endure, it is God alone who has done it. God shows His favor to us in all these things, and it extends from His abundant mercy and grace.
-
As for forgiveness and healing, know that in the end, in heaven, all sin will be forgiven, since judgment will be finished; and all sickness will be healed. Our bodies will be new. In this way, God will forgive all iniquities and heal all diseases (Revelation 21:4-5).
-
-
Our response must be to use our entire being to please God and bring Him joy. What a marvelous thing that God can indeed feel blessed by certain things that we do.
-
It is always good to ask yourself, in any moment, “What will most please God right now? What will bless Him?” When you know the answer, do just that.
-
-
Verse 5. Notice this verse. Renewed youth and energy comes from the mouth. Here's what is meant: When you speak with purpose and excitement, particularly of God and His kingdom, you will stay young in your energy.
-
And eagles are an example. Eagles stay youthful in their lifespan in that they always have the power to provide and to fight for what they want, even though they are alone.
-
If you want to draw near to God, you will fight, and you will stay the course. Do so with excitement in your words, and your energy for the kingdom will endure!
-
Verses 6-12
-
God's character is astounding. Though He is perfectly just, He is also greatly merciful and slow to anger. Even when disciplining us for our sins, He shows grace and does not chastise us to the full extent that our sins deserve.
-
Always remember how much grace God is extending to you. There is never a time when we don't need God's grace because in our works we fall far short of His righteousness.
-
-
And when He forgives, He forgets. He does not hold our sins against us anymore.
-
Practice the same in your own life. As one who has become a believer, forget your old life as an unbeliever. And as you continue to repent from present sin, forget the past. Stay focused on being encouraged for today's obedience, not dwelling in regret over yesterday's failures.
-
And when a fellow believer sins, but then they repent and change, forgive them immediately (Luke 17:3-4), and forget the sin. Like God, do not retain anger.
-
But when a believer is in sin, and does not repent, then we must bring continued rebuke and judgment (1 Corinthians 5:1-5,12-13, Matthew 18:15-17), while making sure that we do not become resentful and keep a loving attitude.
-
-
Verses 13-18
-
One of the reasons why God is so merciful to us is because He knows that we are weak and finite. He has compassion for us in our weaknesses. Even when we work to be obedient, we fail because the flesh is weak, and we are growing.
-
God knows this. So we can rest assured that as long as we keep set our hearts set to continually repent and do His Word, great mercy will be extended to us, even when we fail, because He has compassion on us while we are growing.
-
Show the same mercy to others. Help your own children, if you have them, to grow in their obedience with instruction and discipline. And help believers to grow in their faith. In either case, keep an attitude of compassion, and show grace while they are learning.
-
This will ensure that people know that you love them, and will stay encouraged to keep growing. But if you become impatient or bitter, they will become discouraged (Colossians 3:21).
-
-
Verses 19-22
-
God rules, and His creations, including His angels, listen and obey His every command. They are ministers in this way. We can also be ministers of God, which means that we become people who also listen to God and obey His Word. This is what truly pleases Him.