Abounding in Mercy

A young woman said, I love the word “abounding.” She smiled when the made the statement, feeling a bit foolish over her emphasis on a single word. She was referring to its use in a psalm she had read that morning: The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. (Ps. 103:8 NKJV) By was of explanation she went on to say, “It sounds so,” and she paused while extending her arms, “inclusive. It sounds so round . . . like it’s expanding.”

According to the psalm, God desires to be inclusive and His kingdom is always expanding. The psalm says that God doesn’t remain angry forever. He continually expands His love as He reaches out to accept all who come to Him with repentant hearts. In addition, as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. (v. 11,12)

Furthermore, God’s mercy never ends. It expands into eternity. (v. 17) All who belong to Him benefit from His never-ending, inclusive, expanding, and abounding mercy—in this life and in heaven where He reigns as King of Kings and Lord of Lord.(v. 19)

Originally published February 7, 1992.

Old Testament Law

Many laws given to the Israelites during their time in the Wilderness seem strange or even foolish to us, but they all had a purpose.

Some laws protected the Israelites by instituting important sanitation regulations—using a shovel when they relieved themselves, etc. Dietary restrictions identified animals that carried harmful diseases. (Lev. 11) Laws affected the way people handled their resources. They were instructed to offer hospitality, and no one should profit from another person’s misfortune. (Lev. 25)

Laws also depicted the concept of holiness. Because worshipping one God must have seemed strange to people who had been immersed in the polytheism of Egypt, God gave the Israelites concrete examples as teaching tools to illustrate purity. They should not plant two types of seed in one field or make garments from two types of material. (Lev. 19)

And laws set godly standards of mercy: Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind . . . Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great. . . . (19:14a,15a NIV)

Many of the laws established in Leviticus seem strange to us today. But God had a purpose. With those laws He established standards among His people.

Originally published February 17, 1984, and July 5, 1991.
Picture: Potted plants on the deck, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

There Was the Glory

God revealed His mercy and provision in many ways during the Israelites’ extended journey from Egypt to Canaan. Even the cloud that remained with them was a visible sign of His glory. It not only led the people; it revealed something about God’s nature. During the dark desert nights, fire from the cloud provided light. During hot days, the cloud provided shade from the hot desert sun. Some say the cloud provided an image of the blessings we receive through Jesus.

At one time, when the people grumbled because they were hungry, Moses and Aaron brought the people into a position where they would listen. Then, While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud. (Ex. 16:10 NIV)

The glory of God demonstrated God’s ability to be God. The people hadn’t remembered that He could take care of them. Instead of asking Him to provide food, they grumbled against Moses. But God surprised them by revealing His nature. He wowed them with a visual image of His glory. That night he sent meat in the form of birds, and in the morning the people discovered manna.

Originally published July 22, 1988.

Mercy for Doubters

Unbelief—doubting God’s Word—is an underlying cause of sin and it plagues everyone at times.

Thomas' doubt is a familiar story, but doubt is a deep-seated problem that affects every aspect of a Christian’s life. In an entirely different setting, Jesus did not rebuke the boy’s father who cried, “I believe, help me overcome my unbelief.” (Mk. 9:24b NIV) Is this not the cry of all human hearts at times?

After Jesus’ death, His disciples acknowledged and addressed problems stemming from unbelief. Verse 22 of the short book of Jude reads, Be merciful to those who doubt. . . . (NIV)

Honest doubters can become honest seekers. When we doubt, if we approach our struggles with open hearts, we can experience God’s mercy. He helps us face our doubt and leave it behind. Then we can turn to Him in faith.

Praise God for mercy.

Originally published July 22, 1983

Our Need for Mercy

Mercy. It means light punishment. Or perhaps it means no punishment, a reprieve or forgiveness when we fail or do something wrong. Mercy definitely means help is on the way when circumstances are difficult.

Our human condition being what it is, our need for mercy never ends. We continually experience failure, wrongdoing, and difficulty. With the psalmist we cry, God be merciful to us and bless us. . . . (Ps. 67:1 NKJV)

The Bible portrays God as a source of unlimited mercy for those who trust Him and who come to Him with humble hearts. With great mercy, He leads His people through hard times. With great mercy, He forgives all who come to Him.

Our response? Hopefully it's a response of gratitude. Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy. . . ! God our own God shall bless us. . . . (v. 4a,6b)

Originally published November 10, 1989.
Picture: Flower, Hawaii, 2004. Photo by Patty.