GETTING TO KNOW GOD:  HE IS MERCIFUL

TEXT:  "The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy." - Psalm 103:8

Most believers think that mercy and grace are synonyms.  Actually, God's mercy and grace often go together, but they are not the same thing.  Mercy is when we do not receive what we deserve.  Grace is when we receive something (good) that we do not deserve.  Our Lord has granted mercy AND grace to His children.  He is merciful because we are not receiving the just penalty for our sins.  He grants us grace because we receive forgiveness, adoption and relationship that we do not deserve.

In this message, we are focusing on the subject of God's mercy.  God is merciful.  Our text states that "The Lord is merciful ... and plenteous in mercy."  This tribute is high praise to the One we serve.

Americans are often guilty of having the attitude of entitlement.  We feel that we "deserve" certain things.  This mind-set is the product of human pride.  When we feel entitled, we are deceiving ourselves.  The attitude of entitlement rejects the notion that we need God's mercy.  Instead, men often think that God owes them His favor.  When we see ourselves as we really are, we begin to understand that we desperately need God's mercy.  Our sins are far worse that our sinful flesh wishes to acknowledge.  Through the pages of God's Word, we see ourselves as God sees us.  As we read the Bible, we learn that we are sinful, wicked people and what we really deserve is God's wrath.  When we learn this, our mind-set changes.  Instead of forcefully demanding that God give us what we feel entitled to, we humbly plead for mercy instead of justice.

To a certain extent, believers and unbelievers alike experience God's mercy every day.  The fact that a man is permitted to awaken to a new day is testimony of God's mercy to him.  Each moment that a man lives without facing the penalty for his sins is an act of God's mercy.  I think it is important to note that God's mercy is experienced in a greater dimension when a sinner repents and places his faith in Jesus alone for salvation.  When a sinner repents and believes, the price for his sin is fully paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ.  God mercifully removes the guilt and the associated penalty of the guilt from the sinner's account.

Furthermore, believers experience mercy daily.  Our on-going fellowship with God requires much mercy from Him.  Although we are forgiven and regenerated, we are not perfect people.  We fail our Lord often.  God is patient with His children and demonstrates great mercy on a regular basis.

  

As believers in Christ, our depth of love for Him is often expressed through gratitude.  When we meditate on God's mercy to us, our hearts experience overflowing gratitude and appreciation.  We thank Him for His continual mercy and walk humbly with the knowledge that we need His mercy more and more.

There is a word of warning that needs to be expressed, especially to unbelievers.  It is wrong to think that God's mercy negates His judgment.  God is still just.  Our text does not state that God never gets angry.  Instead, our text states that He is, "... slow to anger."  God does get angry.  Even though He is merciful, even "... plenteous in mercy," we know that there is a limit to His patience.  There will come a day when God's mercy will be withdrawn from sinners.  It is wrong to assume that God's mercy will keep a sinner from judgment.  If a sinner refuses to repent of his sins, he will ultimately face the penalty he deserves.  If you have never really repented of your sins and placed your faith in Christ alone for salvation, don't take God's mercy for granted.  Instead, throw yourself at the mercy of God right now, while His mercy is available.  Repent of your sins and turn to Jesus Christ for salvation.

God is merciful.  Our text is certainly true:  "The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy."