Living Hope: The Measure

The Measure

Our God is a bountiful God, and our provider; source of all things; and He wants us to ask!

Strong's Hebrew: 3070. יְהֹוָה (Yhvh Yireh) -- "The LORD Will Provide"

Yəhōvâ Yirʾeh embodies the heart of biblical faith: the God who sees is the God who supplies, culminating in the Lamb provided for …[i]

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened; Matt. 7: 7-8.

Example on our thought pattern: Look around the Oceans, which are deep, wide, and vast. Imagine what measure are we taking to the ocean to fill our: spoon, or a cup, or a test tube, or another pail, or with a water tank! This talks about our capacity of thought pattern and understanding of God! Most likely, if we think of going with we a little test tube, the angels in heaven will chuckle or have mixed sad emotions about our thoughts and deeds!

For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again; Matt. 7: 2.

Strong's Greek: 3358. μέτρον (metron) -- Measure - Bible Hub

3358 métron – properly, a measure (the actual measure itself); (figuratively) the basis for determining what is enough (or not enough), what is fair (or not fair), etc.[ii]

With the measure one uses, it will be measured back to us, is the principle upon which Jesus built the command, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” We can assess someone else’s behavior but, we are to remember we will be judged on our actions as well. Always, mindful of the fact that when we consider how we would want to be judged!

God will measure to us according to the same measure we use for others. This is a powerful motivation for us to be generous with love, forgiveness, time, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and understanding of others. If we want more of those things from God, we should give more of them to others.

God had two measures that He used to judge people. One was a measure of justice and the other was a measure of mercy. Whichever measure you want God to use with you, you should use that same measure with others.[iii]

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want; Psa. 23: 1.

The Lord is my shepherd means: he is a Shepherd to me personally; cares, watches, protects, preserves and bears my burdens for ever.

David knew this metaphor in a unique way, having been a shepherd himself. “David uses the most comprehensive and intimate metaphor yet encountered in the Psalms, preferring usually the more distant ‘king’ or ‘deliverer’, or the impersonal ‘rock’, ‘shield’, etc.; whereas the shepherd lives with his flock and is everything to it: guide, physician and protector.” (Kidner)

Who determines of what one takes? It is again the measure one uses, right? That means depends on the measure we use, and it is measured. That measure will be measured back to us. Our judgment in regard to others often can be wrong, because we judge according to a different standard. We could be hypocritical in the application of that standard; ignoring that standard in our own life. We have to remember the following verses;

Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work; 2 Cori. 9: 6-8.

Now we come to the life application part of the above principle; and we need to have a word study on mercy.

What is Mercy? [compassion, leniency, or restraint (as in imposing punishment) shown especially to an offender or to one subject to the power of another

showed her enemies no mercy

The boss took mercy on us and let us go home early.

The prisoner threw himself on the mercy of the court. [=begged the court to show him mercy]

a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion

May God have mercy on us.][iv]

Neuroscience on mercy/compassion shows:

Compassion is the emotion that motivates people to relieve the physical, emotional, or mental pains of others. Engaging in compassionate behavior has been found to enhance psychological wellness and resilience. The results of the reviewed studies showed various neurological changes in regions of the brain as a result of compassion based training. These regions include amygdala, the anterior insula, medial prefrontal cortex, medial orbitofrontal cortex and structures within the dopamine system.[v]

A growing literature examines the relationship between compassion and various aspects of nervous system function, especially the brain. The chapter starts by outlining neuroimaging studies of compassion and then examines the topic of empathy and the brain, noting evidence that observing another person’s emotional state activates parts of the neuronal network that are also involved in processing that same state in oneself. Research suggests that multiple areas within the brain are involved in compassion and compassion training, with some regions more strongly implicated than others. Overall, research into the neuroscience of compassion supports the idea that compassion can be cultivated deliberately through training.[vi]

Now, with the understanding of the neuroscientific part of us, let us look at the cross. This is the place where these two measures took place: Justice vs. mercy. Mercy won! So, we can safely say, that God had two measures that He uses to judge people. One was a measure of justice and the other was a measure of mercy.

“But do not indulge the criticizing faculty upon others in censorious manner, or as if you were set in authority, and had a right to dispense judgment among your fellows. If you impute motives, and pretend to read hearts, others will do the same towards you. A hard and censorious behavior is sure to provoke reprisals. Those around you will pick up the peck measure you have been using, and measure your corn with it.” Charles Spurgeon.

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin; Psa. 51: 1-2.

Balancing love with discernment is important. Yet, Godly correction is like a pearl formation, because this may sting for a moment. At the same time, God’s word says, pearls should not be thrown before the swine. So, we should be careful on to whom it should be given as well.

Spurgeon says, “Jesus is gentle, but he calls that man a ‘hypocrite’ who fusses about small things in others, and pays no attention to great matters at home in his own person.”

Strong's Greek: 1343. δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosuné) -- Righteousness, justice

The noun δικαιοσύνη appears ninety-two times in the Greek New Testament. It gathers the rich Old Testament background of …[vii]

Strong's Greek: 1653. ἐλεέω (eleeó) -- To have mercy, to show ...

eleeó: To have mercy, to show compassion, to be merciful. have compassion, show mercy. From eleos; to compassionate (by word or …[viii]

If God had to measure each one of us based on His justice, we all fall short, and none of us can prevail. Measure of justice versus measure of mercy. Which do we prefer more from God our Father in heaven? Then let us use the same measure with others!