The Magnificent Mercy of God

 

I was driving with a friend recently when a police officer pulled us over. My friend had just driven through an intersection where the light had just turned from yellow to red. My friend thought he had made it, but the police officer thought otherwise. As the officer was about to write up a ticket that would have cost my friend at least one hundred dollars, he paused and said to us, "You know what, I'll let this one go this time. Be more careful next time." Instead of a ticket, he gave us a warning. Instead of judgment, he showed mercy. And within a matter of seconds, my friend went from depression to elation. That is the joy of mercy. Mercy is simply not getting the punishment that we deserve. The most natural response of a heart that has received mercy is thanksgiving. My friend must have said "thank you" to that police officer about fifty times before we drove off again. Appreciation is the overflow of a heart that has been pardoned.

 

One of the greatest things about our God is that He is a God of mercy. Psalm 103:10 tells us that our God "does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities." That is His mercy overflowing into our lives every day. Sins deserve punishment and death. What we "deserve" is to receive curses and condemnation all the days of our lives, but God does not do that; His mercy is on display every day of our lives - even now. The Psalms are filled with prayers asking God for mercy because the psalmists know that is who He is! Our God overflows with compassion, love, grace and mercy. The psalmists ask for mercy, expect to receive it, and love God because of it. "I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy"(Ps. 116:1). Mercy is a lavish expression of love, and when we truly receive it, it is easy to love back. Think about His mercies in your life today, and let that lead you into worship.

 

Editor-in-Chief Eddie Byun