Looking At The Mercy Of God

The Bible tells us that God’s mercy is “great” (Psalm 108:4). David said, “the earth is full of His mercy” (Psalm 119:64). The apostle Paul tells us that “He is rich in mercy” (Ephesians 2:4) and that He is “The Father of mercies” (2 Corinthians 1:3). God manifests His mercy in many ways: (1) In bringing redemption to all (Psalm 86:5; Psalm 130:7; Psalm 145:9; Isaiah 55:7); (2) In giving us “life, and breath, and all things” (Acts 17:25); (3) In being mindful and caring for us (Psalm 144:3; Matthew 6:25-34;1 Peter 5:7); (4) In preserving and blessing us (Proverbs 20:28; Ephesians 1:3); (5) In forgiving and saving us (Romans 5:8-10; 1 John 1:7-9).

In God’s Word we find several examples of those upon whom God showed mercy: (1) the penitent "publican" (Luke 18:9-14); (2) the "thief" on the cross (Luke 23:42-43); (3) the son who “repented, and went” (Matthew 21:28-31); (4) the apostle Paul (1 Timothy 1:15-16). To be merciful is not simply to possess the facility for weeping, for meaningless tears do not avail. It is not merely to give and serve, for it is possible for one to give with a spirit of loathing, or insult while he serves.

It is a feeling for the suffering of others, and having the disposition to relieve this suffering. When one is merciful, he weeps, gives, or serves from a heart filled with pity and compassion. If we make hasty judgments which are not based on facts; if our criticisms are sharp and unkind; if we are guilty of being callous in the presence of disappointments, heartaches and suffering, we are not merciful! If we consider how little we often know about those whom we condemn, it would help us to become more merciful!

The story is told of an impatient preacher who was having his shoes shined by a young boy. When the preacher thought his shoes should be about finished, he looked down to find his shoes appearing worse than at the beginning. His sharp rebuke to the young boy caused the lad to look up from his shoe shining showing a face wet with tears. The little teary-eyed boy said, “I’m sorry sir, but my mother died this morning, and I’m trying to make enough money to buy some flowers to put on her coffin.” The preacher saw that it was the tears that were making his shoes impossible to shine, and condemnation left his heart.

Beloved, let us learn to be "merciful" as our loving Savior teaches us (Matthew 5:7). Showing mercy to others proves that we have a state (or condition) of heart which allows God to extend mercy to us (Psalm 41; cf. James 2:13).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets