Mercy. What a beautiful word when heard and understood by the one who has sinned. God’s mercy is completely inseparable from God’s grace and they can be thought of as two sides of the same coin. Mercy is when we don’t get the punishment that we deserve and grace is when we are given favor that we have not earned. So not only does God withhold sin’s terrible punishment he also blesses us with His favor and ultimately with His only Son, Jesus Christ the Savior of the World. It is by grace through faith that we are saved and the opportunity for God’s grace to be shown is only because he first showed mercy on sinful man.
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
God’s mercy never fails and never falters. Were it not for His mercy this world and everything in it would be consumed and destroyed. Not only does God’s mercy never fail it is also new and sufficient for each new day. Whatever mistake or error we may find ourselves in, God’s mercy has provided for us a way back into fellowship with Him.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
Mercy and grace are available from the Lord at all times and we are invited to come boldly before God in search of it. God wants His people to trust and rely on Him completely and constantly. There is never a time or a circumstance that can keep us from coming boldly before our Heavenly Father who loves us so much. His invitation is open and He waits for us with arms wide open and angelic helpers ready to come to our aid if only we will ask.
Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. (Luke 6:36)
Because we belong to God we are to imitate Him as His dear children. And because He is merciful so to must we be merciful with those around us. We must be merciful when we are wronged and we must forgive those who seek to harm us, be it physically, emotionally or financially. God’s mercy is big enough to cover any sin that we lay at His feet and our mercy must be big enough to cover any sin that is done against us.
Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23-24)
It is so important that we be merciful and forgiving that Jesus specifically said that we should be reconciled to our brother or sister before we make our next offering to God. I believe this verse covers not only our monetary offerings but also our time and talents that we use for the Lord. In other words we must do everything in our power to strive for unity among the brethren and take the initiative in making things right. Only then will we be in a right place to serve the Lord with gladness and to receive His mercy with a clear conscience and a glad heart.