Pronounced "ah-rek" the Hebrew word, Arek, translates to mean,
"long suffering" "patient" "slow to anger".
As the psalmist, David, reflected in prayer:
"But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger,
abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness."
(Psalm 86:15)
The apostle Paul concurred with this attribute of divine forbearance, declaring,
"But for this very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the worst
of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His perfect patience as an example
to those who would believe in Him for eternal life."
(1 Timothy 1:16)
Although as Saul of Tarsus, the self-righteous pharisee, he had shown no mercy
to the Jewish believers in Christ, admitting to have "acted in ignorance and
unbelief" he was shown the mercy of God. "And the grace of our Lord
overflowed to me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus."
(1 Timothy 1:14)
Saul's Encounter With The Lord On The Damascus Road
Image courtesy/Pinterest
"The apostle knew that he would justly have perished, if the Lord had been
extreme to mark what was amiss; and also if His grace and mercy had not
been abundant to him when dead in sins, working faith and love to Christ
in his heart. This is a faithful saying; these are true and faithful words
which may be depended on, that the Son of God came into the
world, willingly and purposely to save sinners.
No man with Paul's example before him, can question the love and power
of Christ to save him, if he really desires to trust in Him as the Son of God,
who once died on the cross, and now reigns upon the throne of glory,
to save all that come to God through Him.
Let us then admire and praise the grace of God our Saviour; and ascribe to
the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, three Persons in the unity of the Godhead,
the glory of all done in, by, and for us."
