The Message Given at
Manhattan Meeting of the Religious
Society of Friends: 7/20/2008

By Noel Palmer, Pastor

Our family has experienced a good and joyous addition in the marriage of our daughter Janet to Ben McMillan yesterday. In the words of Solomon in Proverbs 18: 22. “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing and obtaineth favor of the Lord.” As we have grown to know Ben over the past year or so we have become very fond of him and appreciate his Christian witness and his maturity . We feel comfortable and safe that together he and Janet will bear a good Christian testimony ‘

The Psalmist in Psalm 84: refers to the sparrows and the swallows that find a dwelling place even in the altars of the Lord . He goes on to explain that God provided water for the thirsty souls as they passed through the valley of Baca where they could drink from the pools and go from strength to strength.

God’s goodness is expressed not only in His provision, but in His mercy. We remember that mercy means “undeserved favor.” That is a favor that we cannot deserve. The story is told of an old lady who had an only son on whom she poured all her love and substance . She literally had nothing more to give him. His habits had become so demanding that he beat her almost to death. He was arrested and on the day of trial as he stood before the Judge who was not sparing in telling him what he thought of him. The Judge turned to the old lady and said “mother , before I sentence this worthless fellow, do you have anything to say?” His mother, still quite obviously in pain, rose slowly and stuttering said, “have mercy on him Your Honor.” The Judge’s retort was “Mercy, Mercy, He does not deserve it. The old lady straightened up and said “Your Honor, if he deserved it, it would not be mercy.

In spelling out thee goodness of God the Psalmist further numerates that God gives grace and glory. These are characteristics of Divinity. They are qualities of God’s own nature. Grace is one of the qualities spoken of Jesus in Luke 2:40 “and the child grew , and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.” The Spirit of grace is an abiding agent in the life of the believer who depends upon the guidance of Divinity and the quality of behavior is reflective of the power received.

Along with the quality of grace which the Psalmist promises that God will give is , Glory. This is expressive of the magnifying Spirit of the Divine. The individual who has received the Lord should be energized and buoyed up with the illumination that comes from the Holy Spirit. The Disciples on the mount of Transfiguration had an experience of what it means to be caught up in such a glorified state.

As God has promised that “no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” We hold fast to His Divine word and pray that we will be given wisdom to trust His guidance and follow His Way.

Amen.