MERCY: God's extended love to us

Psalm 86:15

But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. (NIV)

But, Lord, you are a God who shows mercy and is kind. You don't become angry quickly. You have great love and faithfulness. (NCV)

But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. (NLV)


Name one person who showed the greatest act of mercy? Who popped into your head? Was it your parents, siblings, teacher, child, stranger, or yourself? Perhaps they did show you some act of mercy, but there is one who is greater. And He did in a way only He can.

You see, receiving mercy from God is one of the best experiences in the world. God not only showed you mercy by forgiving your sins when you became a Christian, it went much further. He continues to forgive you and shows you every second, minute, hour, day, week, and month. Amazing and encouraging. And only God could be that patient and merciful to shower us in that manner. I ask you receive His mercy with a grateful heart. And while you are at it commit yourself to extending the same kind of mercy to others. We all could use mercy every now and then.


Song: Thy Mercy (by Caedmon's Call)

Thy mercy my God is the theme of my song,
The joy of my heart, and the boast of my tongue.
Thy free grace alone, from the first to the last,
Hath won my affection and bound my soul fast.
Without Thy sweet mercy, I could not live here.
Sin would reduce me to utter despair,
But through Thy free goodness, my spirit's revived
And He that first made me still keeps me alive.
Thy mercy is more than a match for my heart,
Which wonders to feel its own hardness depart.
Dissolved by Thy goodness, I fall to the ground
And weep for the praise of the mercy I've found.
(Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah)
Hallelujah
(Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah)
Great Father of mercies, Thy goodness I own
In the covenant love of Thy crucified Son.
All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine
Seals mercy and pardon and righteousness mine.
All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine
Seals mercy and pardon and righteousness mine.
Well, Hallelujah
Hallelujah (Hallelujah)
Well, Hallelujah


Is there someone who might need to receive mercy today instead of judgment?