God's Loving Kindness

Thy loving kindness is before mine eyes. Psalms 26:3.

This causes a peaceful conscience, a happy heart, and a holy life. What is meant by loving kindness? it is love expressed by action: the affection of the heart, manifested by acts of kindness. Thus the Lord speaks of his church in general, and of every individual member of it in particular, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love.” What then? This love manifests itself in time thus, “Therefore, with loving kindness have I drawn thee.” (Jeremiah 31:3.) “I will betroth thee unto me for ever in loving kindness.” (Hosea 2:19.) Being thus betrothed and drawn to the Lord, our souls have a sight and sense of his loving kindness. What is meant by its being “before our eyes?” Its engaging the attention of our mind, captivating the affection of our heart, seeing our interest in it, feeling the refreshments of it, and rejoicing on account of it; knowing there is no separation from it. Thus, everlasting love provides a Saviour; almighty grace draws poor sinners to him; and then, loving kindness becomes the glory of their hearts and the joy of their souls. We love it and meditate upon it: we not only see it, but feast upon it, and are astonished at it: we cry out with David, “Thy loving kindness is better than life itself.” (Psalms 63:3.) For all our comforts in him flow from it: it is marvellous in our eyes: it exceeds expression—is beyond conception. Besides these internal effects upon the mind, the loving kindness of the Lord hath external influence upon the life. David adds, “And I have walked in thy truth.” Without this, all might be the flights of fancy, and the sallies of a heated imagination. But now all is well with the poor sinner: his heart is not only happy, but his life is holy. To walk in the truth, is to walk contrary to the deceitful hopes, lying vanities, and carnal delights of the men of this world: it is to walk, not in self righteous confidence, no more than in lawless licentiousness; but in Christ, who is the Truth: in holy fellowship with him, humble dependence on him, growing love to him, and longing expectation of eternally enjoying them. O, Christians! are your sins ever before you? Let the loving kindness of Jehovah, Father, Son, and Spirit, ever be before your eyes. This is the glory of saints above: let this be your glory below. For, “Thus saith the Lord, let him who glorieth, glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord, who exerciseth loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:24.)

My God! how matchless is thy love;
Its kindness is before mine eyes;
It draws my heart to joys above,
And all thy holy ways to prize.

- William Mason, A Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God, Volume 2, March 24