From My Heart: His Crowded Kindnesses
Isaiah 63:7 says, “I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has bestowed on us . . .”
The word “mention” does not refer to making a side comment, as we intend when we say “By the way . . .” It is much more intentional. In this setting, “mention” means to focus on, remember, and ponder His lovingkindnesses. It means to praise and thank Him for all He has done for us.
“I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD has bestowed on us . . .”
The word “lovingkindnesses” is also special. Its overflowing, rich meaning and plural-ness suggest that no word can express all the goodness, grace, and mercy that God showers on His people.
Could the apostle Paul have read Isaiah 63:7 just before writing his Ephesian letter? As if in response, he crowds several transforming kindnesses of intentional remembrance and praise into his very first chapter. First, we were chosen by God the Father (1:3-6). Then, we were redeemed by God the Son (1:7-12). Third, we were sealed by God the Spirit (1:13-14)—all to the praise of His glory. Alleluia!
The importance and practicality of remembering, pondering, thanking, and praising God for His lovingkindnesses are burning in my soul as I write to you. A traumatic ordeal has driven several of us in our family into what feels like a “dark night.” Perhaps you’ve been there, too, and you understand.
One recent morning during this season, my wife Jan showed me a statement ascribed to 19th Century Bible expositor Alexander Maclaren: “Seek, as a plain duty, to cultivate a buoyant, joyous sense of the crowded kindnesses of God in your daily life.”
Maclaren’s well-crafted wordpicture, “crowded kindnesses,” caught my attention. What an excellent expression it is of Isaiah 63:7! I embraced that term, and shared it with our family. We began purposefully noticing and naming various kindnesses that God crowded into our days.
Maclaren’s well-crafted wordpicture, “crowded kindnesses,” caught my attention. What an excellent expression it is of Isaiah 63:7!
Kindnesses may be big or small. Three constant kindnesses to my son and daughter-in-law are their young children. For one of our daughters, three kindnesses were crowded together one day when she saw three gray whales spouting near the shore as she walked along the coast. For me, an almost daily kindness is when I smell strong coffee as I walk into the kitchen in the morning.
Several of us are memorizing Psalm 62, which focuses on a number of God’s enduring kindnesses toward His followers. Kindnesses abound, crowded into each day. Noting them is a self-discipline that nourishes and refocuses our hearts, minds, and attitudes.
As a global ministry, our team thanks God for using the Mission to Children to crowd kindnesses into the lives of children, youth, and adults on five continents of the world. What a privilege—and responsibility—this is! Thank you for reaching out to them through the Mission to Children with your prayers and support.
In all our doing, may Jesus Christ be praised!
