God's Lovingkindness and Compassion by Richard Maisenbacher

Richard Maisenbacher

God’s Lovingkindness and Compassion

David begins to list some of God’s benefits, beginning in Psalm 103:4 with “Who redeems your life from the pit; Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion.” Many believers agree that the Lord has redeemed us from the pit, however there may be some hesitation to say that He is crowning us with lovingkindness and compassion. Many have been discouraged in the last few years with how people have been communicating in the media, the government, education, religion, family, friends, and business relationships. Trust has been challenging not only with people and organizations, but many have had their faith with God stretched to new levels, including me.

In order to receive some peace and joy I have had go back to the Scriptures and renew understanding of my covenant relationship with God. In the Hebrew, the word covenant is berith, which literally means “to bind or to fetter: a binding obligation.” It is the ultimate expression of committed love and trust and was usually made to define, confirm, establish, or make binding a relationship that had been in the making for some time. From God’s viewpoint this relationship begins when He created us.

The word hesed found in Psalm 103:4, is translated lovingkindness in the English translation. It is defined as a benevolent action on behalf of another, promoting and preserving life through relationships and faithful commitment.

Compassion is a deep emotional response on behalf of someone else. It is a response that finds its ultimate origination in the heart of God. He does not just show kindness to people He is in covenant with; however, He loves His own creation regardless of our rebellion. He still loves us because that is His heart.

As believers it is a wonderful reminder that God crowns us with hesed (lovingkindness) and compassion. Even though we may not understand or agree with what God may be doing in the world, knowing that He loves and obligates Himself to us will bring peace in a turbulent environment. His written Word also will bring comfort, even though it speaks of the good fight of faith, wrestling against the enemy, and the war of denying self.

You may run into non-believers or those who are discouraged to the point they just do whatever they want to. An explanation of what Jesus did on the cross and that God has desired a covenant love relationship with them from birth may make a difference. He not only created us to love, but He obligates Himself to continually seek us even when we do not reciprocate our love to Him.

Whenever my negative emotions take over my opinion of the world around me, I choose to have faith that our God who not only redeemed us but crowns us with hesed and compassion is in charge…even if I don’t understand His ways. I choose to trust Him!

In His Covenant Love,

Richard Maisenbacher

info@thecovenantcenter.com
www.thecovenantcenter.com

Richard and his wife Becky have been in ministry for over 45 years. Pastors and founders of The Covenant Center, they have also served as elders and board members of various churches, as well as facilitated numerous home groups and classes.

They are dedicated to bringing freedom and wholeness to the wounded and captive through covenant understanding, healing, transformation, restoration, and reconciliation. They desire to see each person trained, equipped, and activated to serve in the Kingdom as they walk in their identity in Christ, being strengthened in their gifts, fulfilling their destiny.  Richard and Becky encourage and support individuals to grow in relationship with the Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit, maturing in wisdom, holiness, character, and the prophetic.

An Update For Our TCC Family by Richard Maisenbacher

Richard Maisenbacher

Dear Covenant Center Family,

Just an update for everyone. I know the closing was abrupt as we are also witnessing businesses, restaurants, even educational institutions and other churches closing. These are unprecedented times, and I know for many of you it has been difficult and some of you have shared the depth of your grief in the closing of our gathering place. We identify with you. This has been tough! However, God has built us all to be overcomers. He has imparted in each of us the ability to endure and persevere in difficult times.

During prayer, the Lord has been reminding me today of Moses in the desert with a vision of the Israelites circling round and round, only getting mana waiting on the Lord’s direction. As they hoped to get guidance and direction, they looked to Moses asking what are we doing out here? Holy spirit spoke to me, “Little did they know through their stress and uncertainty, I was teaching them to not look to man nor look to food or drink or clothing but to look to Me.” This is a deep to deep moment.

As a prophetic community it’s not unusual for God to use the experiences we walk through as a message to others who can see and hear His messages.  I think it’s important to learn from our forefathers during this time of waiting for the Lord, to be careful of what we speak or think. Even this morning Becky came to me and shared that the Lord opened her ears to hear the demons and what they were saying.

In this uncertain time of transition, not only for us, but also for the world, they are strategizing to entice the Body of Christ to become critical, judgmental, fearful, disillusioned with one another, to cause us to open the door to the destroyers. This is a serious thing.

1 Corinthians 10:10 – “Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer.” Verse 11, “Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”

In uncertain times, in our humanity, it is easy to become fearful, critical, judgmental, even murmur or complain. This is an important scripture that I have referred to in our meetings, because I do not want you or myself to be destroyed. We know from our training that these choices open the door for the enemy to attack. We’ve come too far individually and as a community. We know too much of his ways to engage in fear, murmuring, or disillusionment.

So, I encourage you to hold fast to what is set before you. We need to be looking to the Lord and listening for His direction. He has actually given us all time to slow down, take time to be with Him and hear from Him as we prepare for the new year. In the coming days things will become clearer. But for now, as the Lord has spoken to me before in prayer, “Do what you know to do until I give you specific directions.”

We have been busy these past 3 weeks, organizing, storing, purging, packing, materials and closing out our building location. We received unexpected, specific contributions to pay for our monthly storage units and a contribution to help pay for the moving expenses. These were God gifts. Thank you and thank you Lord for all contributions.

For those who feel led to continue to contribute to Covenant Outreach Ministries, Inc. we appreciate it very much! We still will maintain our website with news, message posts, and Covenant U classes to help those licensed and ordained ministers and others to move out in whatever ministry God has led them to at this time. Or you may want to take a class to simply enjoy and grow in understanding of topics that may interest you. To have technology is to invest in technicians and we are thankful for ours. As much as our technicians generously give of their time, this is also their business. This will still take time and finances to continue our communication and training. Thank you all for your continued giving and investing in future kingdom builders!

LIdy and Susan will continue overseeing administrative communication, like info@thecovenantcenter.com, emails, prayer, counseling, accounting and finances. I will continue engaging with our Covenant U students, other ministry consultations, home groups and of course prayer.

I am personally waiting for specific directions for Covenant Outreach Ministries, Inc. We know retirement is not in God’s vocabulary, so we will be refreshed by this break, and even though transition is messy, we look forward to this New Year and His continued guidance and provision.

I thank God for you! Your love, support and dedication to His kingdom continues to be a great gift. Shana Tova and a sweet Rosh Hashanah to you and family!

Richard
info@thecovenantcenter.com