37.
A word and work of mercy before judgment. The Lord is the very personification of mercy. Ps. 62:12 He visits with mercy before the sentence is implemented. The messages of the prophets were direct and filled with warnings of the impending consequences of their sin. First the warning, the word of mercy, then the punishment. An example of His dealings with His people after this manner may be found in Jer. 25:1-11.
The positive promises of the Lord are effectual in the lives of those who obey Him. Through Hosea He has promised rain, a symbol of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon those who are His people. Israel was promised rain in it’s season. Deut. 11:11-14 The abundant supply of water was dependent on their obedience. Rain speaks to us of the sufficiency and the abundance of the blessing of the Lord descending from heaven. Heb. 6:7.
As much as some have a problem with doctrine, the Lord said; that His doctrine would drop as the rain and His spoken word as the dew, as the mist and the showers upon the grass of the field. Deut. 32:2 Jesus came teaching, preaching, proclaiming the Word of the Lord and it is recorded that His Words were doctrine. Lk. 4:32 His words were anointed by the power of the Spirit of the Lord, therefore were powerful. Again, understanding the scriptures and their instructions to us depends upon obedience. A will to do the will of the Lord. John 7:16-17 The doctrine of the Lord is infallible. It is that which is the beginning of the chain of life. It descend from on high and waters the earth. The end results are food for those who have sown. It is a beautiful type of His Word which will never be without a harvest. He will bless it and cause it to prosper in all of it’s promises. Isa. 55:10-11.
Take into consideration that a people who embrace the Word, and are not afraid to publish and live it will be blessed. If we relate this portion of scripture to the deliverance of the Bride as seen in Revelation twelve we see a last day revival and the blessing of the wilderness. The woman of Revelation twelve, though pressed and pursued by the dragon, will yet go out with joy, filled with the peace of the Lord. In as much as she is being taken into a place prepared by the Lord (Rev. 12:6), the beauty of His creation will burst forth around her and she will spend the tribulation period in a place likened to the garden of Eden. Isa. 51:3 She will experience the blessings of heaven and earth in the divine presence of the Lord while all around her, in this world there will be strife and turmoil. Some may question, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? Ps. 78:19 The response is, Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Ps. 23:5 Not only can He, but He most definitely will.