Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-29

done this. But being Just He carries
| it out to the letter.
The deliverance which finally came
was in fulfIlment OF His promise. He
had told them that at the end of 70 years
He would deliver them and that Cyrus
should be His servant. The 70 years
were nearly ended when Cyrus by
strategem came into a position Of power
that he used to fulfill Gods promise
The Justice OF God required that He keeT
His promise and deliver the people al
the end of 70 years. He was just and
kept His word.
He had promised a Deliverer: the Mes
siah it was to be. He should come al
the appointed time. All the world was
in expectation when an humble worna q
gave birth to a Babe in crowded sta
BILE; 1t was Messiah. Gods justice re-
quired that He keep His word
Now, my brother, God is just today
He has said If we confess our sins He
is faithful and Just to forgive US our
sins and to cleanse us from all un-
Righteousness. The justice of God re-
quires that He keep that promise AS
He brought about the captivity in full
fillment of promise, as He gave deliver
ance in fulfllment of promise. as He
gave Messiah in fulf1llment of His prom
ise, SO He viii forgive your sins and
cleanse you from all mrighteousness
(note the comprehensiveness Of these
last two words) in fulfillment of His
promise. God is just. He will keep
His word; do you believe He will in your
case? Upon His keeping His word de-
ponds the destiny Of every soul. Thanks
be to His name. we have learned to
know that He is one in whom we car
place our trust
GOD is MERCIFUL
The other side-I started to say, the op-
posite side. but that is not wholly true
is just as true. God is not only just
but He is mercifuI. He revealed 1t In the
capacity. That was the kindest thing
He could have done to Israel. 1t was
better while Ii lasted, but it cured them
permanently from their great hesetting
sin OF idolatry, and that made II worth
while. He was nerciful in preserving
them throughout all those years. They
kept intact as a people, in spite of the
fact that many scattered throughout the
empire afterward Time and again He
warded off dangers, and, as in the case
of Esther, even brought honor and pre-
ferment to them. How merciful He was
when they had been so disloyal to Him
He was merciful in restoring them
guarding them from dangers. giving them
victory over their enemies, and finally
placing them in their beloved city and
establishing their worship again. All OF
these blessings were undeserved favor
at Gods hand. He showed Himself q
God that waits to be gracious.
How merciful He was In the gift Of
the Messiah we shall never fully know
until we shall know even as we are
known. When we see Jesus in all His
glory, and realize the heighth and depth
and breadth of His love for the Father
and OF the Fathers love for Him. we
can then, and not till then, know whal
the gift OF the Christ cost God. Then we
shall see how merciful He was; how
much He loved US and was willing to do
to save us. Yes. He is mereiful
And, my brother, He is just the same
today. He longs to be gracious and
cleanse you from all your unrighteous-
ness If you viii just own up that you
need cleansing and ask Him to do it,
Wnl you?