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In light of some recent events in our family, I was searching the scriptures for encouragement. Mercy is what I am praying for our extended family and there are times in your life, I'm sure, when you are in need of some encouragement to either receive or extend mercy.
Mercy, according to Webster's dictionary is defined as: compassion/pity; kindness toward unfortunate people; to forgive/not to want to punish/harm someone.
Let's see what the scriptures have to say about mercy. (All scripture is quoted from the NIV unless otherwise stated.)
Matt. 9:13 - But go and learn what this means, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice."
So, I have looked up what 'mercy' actually means. In this particular reference, the original Greek meaning is long. It is: 1) mercy, kindness, or good will towards the miserable the the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them. 2) God towards man: the mercy and clemency of God in providing and offering to men salvation by Christ.
Such huge meaning in so tiny a word. But that is just where we begin with mercy. The deeper meanings of the word are so profound. Here are a few examples found through out scripture.
Exodus 33:19, God tells the Israelites that "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion".
The meaning for mercy here is a little different - it is equal to our English word 'compassion' or 'tender affection'. God will show tender affection and compassion on those whom he so desires.
Psalm 25:7 - Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love (KJV says MERCY) remember me, for you are good, O LORD.
Mercy, here, (or love) means goodness, kindness, faithfulness. His mercy depends on HIS faithfulness, not our actions or anything we can do to deserve it. On another note, the reference of LORD in all caps in the Bible has it's own particular meaning. It is the proper name of God - the One who Exists. Lord, Master. Covenant maker and keeper. He can not lie. His word is truth.
Psalm 31:9 Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief.
Mercy here has the meaning "to be gracious, to show favor, pity." Again, the proper name for God. He is merciful.
Psalm 33:18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love. (Love, again, is 'MERCY' in the KJV). Original meaning here, again, is goodness, kindness, faithfulness. It's His faithfulness and goodness we need to trust in. Not anything we can do or say. It's all Him!
Psalm 86:15&16 But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love (mercy - KJV) and faithfulness. Turn to me and have mercy on me; grant your strength to your servant and save the son of your maidservant.
This one I thought especially pertinent to the situation. Mercy here is to be gracious, to show favor, pity.
Psalm 108:4 - For great is your love (MERCY - KJV), higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Mercy = goodness, kindness, faithfulness.
Psalm 147:11 - The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.KJV) The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.(NIV) Mercy = goodness, kindness, faithfulness. Our hope has to be in Him. He delights when we hope in him.
Proverbs 16 is a great chapter, full of encouragement. Here are just a few highlights.
Vs. 3 & 4 - Commit tot eh LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. The LORD works out everything for HIS own ends.
Vs. 6 (KJV) By mercy and truth iniquity is purged; (NIV) Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; Atoned for = paid for by another - Mercy = goodness, kindness, faithfulness. God is faithful.
Vs. 9 - In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. I would suggest Psalm 139:13 & 16 here - For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. God knows you. He knows the situation you are in. He has his hand in it. Somehow, someway, and for some reason, he will work this out to His glory, for he is faithful. He is Sovereign. He has his hand in our lives. Psalm 126 tells us he has our lives in his hand and he will keep us. The one who watches over us does not slumber or sleep. According to Jeremiah 29:11 he tells: I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and will bring you back from captivity." He was speaking to the nation of Israel here when they had been found in sin and taken in to captivity. This is a promise for any child of God to stand on. I personally don't know any Christian who has not been found in sin on occasion. But seeking with all our hearts, we can find peace in the promise of his plans for us.
Back to Proverbs 16. I really want to point out verse 11 here. It is good for anyone involved in a court case. It says: "Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all weights in the bag are of his making." This tells me that, no matter how screwed up our judicial system and our courts and politicians, the ultimate outcome is in God's hands. He balances the scales. You can take it to the bank that the outcome of this situation is secure in His hands. It will go the way HE wills it. Keep in mind that He is sovereign. He can not be manipulated. We can stand on the promises in His word that whatever the outcome, it is His sovereign will and he will see you through. His will is good. He is for his children, not against them. Be sure when you pray, you are asking that God's will be done. No amount of manipulation, of scripture or of prayer, on our part can change his sovereign will.
He is merciful.
Romans 9:14-16 - What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy. Mercy = to help one afflicted or seeking aid, to help the afflicted, to bring help to the wretched.
When faced with serious legal issues, we are smart to get an attorney and a good one at that. We are smart to pray for favor with judges and man. But remember, the ultimate outcome is dependant on God's mercy. No amount of sacrifice or offering on our part is going to control or manipulate the outcome. God desires mercy, not sacrifice. The sacrifice he desires is a contrite spirit that seeks him (see Psalm 51:17).
Romans 12:1-3 - Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing, and perfect will. Mercy = 1) compassion, pity, mercy; 2) bowels in which compassion resides, a heart of compassion; 3) emotions, longings, manifestations of pity.
There are situations and times of struggle that cause physical pain for us and those who care about us. From the bowels of our being, compassion comes. To the depths of our souls, even to the point of aches and pains in our bodies, we cry out for mercy for those we love who are in despair. This is a glimpse of the depth of God's mercy for us. Can you feel it? As I sit here typing, I can.
2 Corinthians 1:3 & 4 - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of (MERCIES - KJV) compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. Mercy = 1) compassion, pity, mercy; 2) bowels in which compassion resides, a heart of compassion; 3) emotions, longings, manifestations of pity.
Not only is he a God of mercy, deep mercy that comes from the depth of his being, He is also the God of all comfort.
The reason we are able to pray these things for specific situations and stand on the promises of God's word is because we are children of God. We have a Father who loves us. Not only that, but Jesus, our own personal savior, sits at the Father's right hand and is ever interceding for us. Offering prayers on our behalf. Jesus has the Father's ear.
Hebrews 4:14-16 - Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Mercy here means: 1) kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them. 2) mercy and clemency of God in providing and offering to men salvation through Jesus Christ.
2 John 3 - Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, will be with us in truth and love.
(mercy here is the same meaning as above.) He will be with us. Never doubt His love.
Jude 2 - Mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.
Jude 21&22 - Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt.
I pray this blog will bring you peace, whether you are a giver or receiver of mercy.
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