Merciful: God’s compassion is infinite and inexhaustible. In the mercy of His provision in Christ, He took upon Himself the judgment that was due us. He waits and works now for all people everywhere to turn to Him, not wanting any to be lost.
Grace is what God gives us when we don't deserve and mercy is when God doesn't give us what we do deserve. (Unknown)
“But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. 30 When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and obey him. 31 For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath.” (Deuteronomy 4:29-31)
“But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.” (Psalm 86:15)
"Mercy is exercised only where there is guilt. It always pre-supposes guilt. The penalty of the law must have been previously incurred, else there can be no scope for mercy." Charles G. Finney
Humans know deep inside that they have done wrong at one time or another. We all have fallen short of the mark. The Bible calls this sin. And, we know that if we break a law, we must pay the penalty for breaking that law. The Bible says that the penalty for sin is death. All have sinned, therefore all are guilty and in need of mercy.
Now, here is where mercy comes in. God did not leave man in their sins, but provided a way for man to be cleansed of their sin and not have to pay the penalty for sin—eternal death.
“All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:3-5
God has provided the way. What we need to do is to have the attitude of the tax collector in this parable told by Jesus:
“And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14)
A.W. Tozer said, "God's mercy is boundless, free and, through Jesus Christ our Lord, available to us now in our present situation."
Need mercy? Come to God!
Wonderful, Merciful Savior by Selah
"Trust the past to the mercy of God, the present to his love, and the future to his providence."
Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430)
Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430)
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