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Psalm 103 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
How long do you strive? It seems like an odd question on the surface. Let me rephrase it.
Where is the limit of your patience and trust? Let’s say a friend were to ask you for $50. It’s not that much money and they need it, so you agree to give it to them. But let’s say they ask you for $50 every day for a week. Now you are becoming restless, right? After a little while, your friend ups the amount to $500 per week. You can see where this is going.
So, the question is, how long do you strive with that person? Where is your limit? Where do you finally draw the line and say no?
God uses this term “strive” to explain how the Holy Spirit has pursued mankind since the beginning.
The LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. 9 He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever.
Psalms 103:8-9 NASB
The first part of this passage is heavily quoted. Psalm 103:8 has become a mantra for many today – and with good reason. However, it’s interesting the consider the very next verse. God will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. God used this same word back in Genesis when He decided to send a flood. Mankind had become so perverted and evil that He could no longer strive with them.
Then the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.”
Genesis 6:3 NASB
120 years was the amount of time God gave to humanity before He would flood to earth. In His grace, He gave a warning. In His mercy, there was a clear boundary. We certainly didn’t deserve it, but He allowed us the opportunity to respond in the time He made available. Not only this, He provided the means for anyone who feared Him to come forward and receive grace and mercy by turning from their fallen ways.
Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalms 103:13 NASB
Today, we live in a similar situation. Evil is running rampant. God has placed a time limit on our existence. But, in His grace and mercy, He has provides a way for those who fear Him to turn and repent from their sinful ways. Just like in Genesis, He has agreed not to strive with man forever, but He has also given His Son for us which proves this verse in Psalm 103 to be true – He will not keep His anger forever.
Knowing all of this, what should we do? We should turn and repent while we have time. God has been overwhelmingly merciful in His dealing with us. The only logical conclusion is to praise Him, fear Him, and love Him.