The concept of God's loving-kindness is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting His enduring mercy, compassion, and steadfast love towards His people. This divine attribute is not only a source of comfort and hope but also a transformative force in the lives of believers, often described as being "quickened" or made alive through the Spirit.

Biblical Foundation

The loving-kindness of God is frequently highlighted in the Psalms, where the psalmists express gratitude for God's unfailing love and mercy. Psalm 63:3 states, "Because Your loving devotion is better than life, my lips will glorify You." This verse underscores the surpassing value of God's loving-kindness, which is more precious than life itself.

Quickening of the Saints

The quickening of the saints refers to the spiritual awakening and renewal that believers experience through the Holy Spirit. This quickening is a direct result of God's loving-kindness, as it is His desire to bring His people into a deeper relationship with Him. Ephesians 2:4-5 illustrates this transformation: "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved."

Examples in Scripture

1. Ezekiel's Vision of the Dry Bones: In Ezekiel 37, the prophet is given a vision of a valley filled with dry bones, symbolizing the spiritual deadness of Israel. God commands Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, and through His Spirit, they are brought to life. This vision is a powerful metaphor for the quickening power of God's loving-kindness, which revives and restores His people.

2. The Prodigal Son: In Luke 15, Jesus tells the parable of the prodigal son, who, after squandering his inheritance, returns to his father in repentance. The father's loving-kindness is evident as he welcomes his son with open arms, celebrating his return. This account illustrates the quickening effect of God's love, as the son is restored to life and relationship with his father.

3. Saul's Conversion: In Acts 9, Saul of Tarsus, a fierce persecutor of Christians, encounters the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. This divine encounter, marked by God's loving-kindness, results in Saul's conversion and transformation into the Apostle Paul. His quickening is a testament to the power of God's love to change even the hardest of hearts.

Theological Implications

The quickening of the saints through God's loving-kindness is a testament to His desire for all to come to repentance and experience new life in Christ. It emphasizes the transformative power of divine love, which not only forgives but also renews and empowers believers to live according to God's will. This quickening is an ongoing process, as the Holy Spirit continues to work in the hearts of believers, drawing them closer to God and conforming them to the image of Christ.

Practical Application

Believers are called to respond to God's loving-kindness with gratitude and obedience, allowing His Spirit to quicken their hearts and guide their lives. This involves a daily commitment to seek God's presence, immerse oneself in His Word, and live out His love in interactions with others. As recipients of God's loving-kindness, Christians are also encouraged to extend this same love and mercy to those around them, reflecting the character of God in a world in need of His grace.Psalm 119:88
Quicken me after your loving kindness; so shall I keep the testimony of your mouth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Letter x. --For 338. Coss. Ursus and Polemius; Pr??f. The Same ...
... the Scriptures, and listened to the saints, who said ... And hadst thou understood His
work of loving-kindness towards us ... the seamless coat [4254] of God: they think ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter x for 338 coss ursus.htm

The Desire of the Soul in Spiritual Darkness
... There are times when all the saints can do is to ... that some of us who were kept by
God a long ... to others, we can speak more of his loving kindness and tender ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the desire of the soul.htm

Caph.
... He hath ascended into heaven, have Saints who desire ... never have kept the testimonies
of God, unless that ... of, "O quicken me after Thy loving-kindness." For they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/caph.htm

On the Words, and in one Holy Catholic Church, and in the ...
... Sing unto the Lord a new song, His praise in the Congregation of Saints [2312] . ...
And this shall come to pass through the loving-kindness of God, who says to ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xviii on the words.htm

Commendation of those who came to Hear after Taking a Meal. ...
... and fire, so also the body of these saints being clay ... that he will not grant this
favour to God, when He ... as our own, through the grace and lovingkindness of our ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily x commendation of those.htm

The New Song
... unturned by the adversary to prevent the saints holding on ... even the small deeds of
his lovingkindness shall be ... not only the leviathian deeds of God shall make ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the new song.htm

The Worst Things Work for Good to the Godly
... "Thy loving-kindness is better ... Thus the sins of the godly work for good. God makes
the saints' maladies their medicines. But let none abuse this doctrine. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the worst things work for.htm

The Doctrine of God
... of God than to the perseverance of the saints is to ... leaving us standing there bathed
in the same loving-kindness of the ... Eph.2:4, 5""But God, who is rich in ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of god.htm

Perpetual Youth
... Think of them as then crowned with loving-kindness and satisfied with good, so that
'their youth is renewed like the ... The aged saints of God shall rise then ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/perpetual youth.htm

The Nature of Spiritual Hunger
... righteousness is equal to the most illustrious saints. ... are endued with righteousness
are God's favourites, and ... Thy loving-kindness is better than life' (Psalm ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/13 the nature of spiritual.htm

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