“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope; the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” — Lamentations 3:21-23 (ESV)
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the LORD has forgiven you, so you must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” — Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV)
Gazing from the water’s edge, the vastness of the ocean seems as immeasurable as God’s unfathomable mercy. Grateful for God’s ocean of mercy, provided by the Father’s redemptive love for us through His Son’s death and resurrection, we are free to extend the mercy we have received to others in need.
Mercy is who God is, so it is eternal and infinite. The Lord’s display of mercy was foreshadowed in the Old Testament. Behind the veil in the Holy of Holies, the mercy seat was approached annually on the Day of Atonement by the high priest, who sprinkled blood on it to receive forgiveness for the sins of the community. God’s presence, the shekinah glory, rested between the two cherubim above the mercy seat of the ark.
God remains merciful, even though He knows what we’re like. Although none of us deserve His mercy, all of us, no matter who we are, receive His mercy. If we don’t realize the magnitude of our sin, the Lord’s sacrifice on the cross won’t seem that large. But when we understand the true condition of our hearts, His sacrifice will inspire deep love for Him and for others. A visible proof that we are sons and daughters of the King is when we begin to take on God’s nature of showing mercy to others with cheerfulness (Romans 12:8).
God promises to show Himself merciful to the merciful (2 Samuel 22:26). He gladly prepares and empowers us for whatever He expects of us. He gives us the strength we need when we trust Him and do whatever He says. Mercy surrounds whoever trusts in Him (Psalm 32:10). “Therefore, be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)
How can we keep our wells filled up for responding in mercy and compassion with cheerfulness when we’re deeply hurt by someone we know? Christ has opened the way so that the glory of God will illuminate our lives in every circumstance. Ask God to give you a greater hunger to live in His presence. Be eager to explore His attributes in your First 20. If we can better understand what our Lord Jesus is like, then we’ll become captivated, allowing Him to transform us into His nature. Prayer opens the way to allow the Holy Spirit to come into our hearts and minds. When we ask for His help, He provides all that we need from His powerful resources. We have confidence that He will show us mercy when we come to His throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16).
The prophet Jeremiah had been going through prolonged trials, and all his hopes were dashed. Then he remembered that God’s mercies never come to an end. Our strength lies in the Lord, not in ourselves. Trust Him as you cast yourself on His mercy. The One who holds the universe will not let go of you. Call on Him and He will answer you. God can never cease to be merciful, for this is His divine character. Steeped in His mercy, we can turn aside rather than retaliate when we’ve been hurt. Jesus, the ultimate example while on the cross, prayed on behalf of those who killed Him, “Father, forgive them; they don’t know what they’re doing.” (Luke 23:34)
Let’s freely jump into His unending ocean of mercy! Let’s pray, “Kyrie eleison” – Lord have mercy on us, — for the Lord can’t wait to answer us! After all, our gracious Father knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8)!
Our God Hears,
Barb Wibling