God is Merciful
Deuteronomy 4:31 - "For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath" (NIV).
Psalm 25:6 - "Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old" (NIV).
Daniel 9:18 - "Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy" (NIV).
Romans 5:8 - "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (NIV).
Ephesians 2:4-5 - "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 transgressions–it is by grace you have been saved" (NIV).
In our world there is a great call for justice, for people getting what they deserve. We long to see the terrorists, dictators and abusers called to account for their sins. And we have little patience for the accused going free. This sense of justice is good. It comes from God. However, the justice and the mercy of God can never be separated. The Father sent His son, Jesus, to earth while we did not deserve it. Jesus paid the debt of our sin while we were lost in rebellion (Rom. 5:8; Titus 3:5). This is known as the mercy of God… favour on the undeserving. God continues to withhold His hand of ultimate judgement as He waits for His children to repent (2 Peter 3:9). Through His mercy, the Father has made a way for the undeserving to find forgiveness. But, the choice to take hold of that mercy is up to us. Therefore, run to Jesus "to take hold of the hope offered to us" (Heb. 6:18).
For More Study
Thoughts and Questions for Application
Memorization
Titus 3:5 - "…he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit" (NIV).
Psalm 25:6 - "Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old" (NIV).
Daniel 9:18 - "Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy" (NIV).
Romans 5:8 - "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (NIV).
Ephesians 2:4-5 - "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 transgressions–it is by grace you have been saved" (NIV).
In our world there is a great call for justice, for people getting what they deserve. We long to see the terrorists, dictators and abusers called to account for their sins. And we have little patience for the accused going free. This sense of justice is good. It comes from God. However, the justice and the mercy of God can never be separated. The Father sent His son, Jesus, to earth while we did not deserve it. Jesus paid the debt of our sin while we were lost in rebellion (Rom. 5:8; Titus 3:5). This is known as the mercy of God… favour on the undeserving. God continues to withhold His hand of ultimate judgement as He waits for His children to repent (2 Peter 3:9). Through His mercy, the Father has made a way for the undeserving to find forgiveness. But, the choice to take hold of that mercy is up to us. Therefore, run to Jesus "to take hold of the hope offered to us" (Heb. 6:18).
For More Study
- Nehemiah 9
- Psalm 123
- Matthew 18:21-35
- Romans 5-6
Thoughts and Questions for Application
- Take some time to remember the mercy that God has had on your life. How has He forgiven you? Remember the mercy He has shown you through His patient perseverance with you.
- Are you more quick to cry out for justice or mercy, as you see people's sinful choices around you?
- To whom can you show God's mercy (His undeserved favour) today? Ask God to speak to you.
Memorization
Titus 3:5 - "…he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit" (NIV).
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