January 24, 2009

Rejoice In the Lord’s Mercy

“6 ¶ The LORD executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed. 7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. 8 The LORD [is] merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. 9 He will not always strive [with us], Nor will He keep [His anger] forever. 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, [So] great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 12 As far as the east is from the west, [So] far has He removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father pities [his] children, [So] the LORD pities those who fear Him. 14 For He knows our frame; He remembers that we [are] dust. 15 [As for] man, his days [are] like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. 16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more. 17 But the mercy of the LORD [is] from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, 18 To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them.” (Psalms 103:6-18 NKJV)

What a great word for those who have been struggling to walk in holiness. God is merciful and knows of what we are made.

Never use this, or other passages like it, as an excuse to sin. This is not the intent. Instead, these passages are there so we won’t lose hope. Sometimes, the world and sin beats us up, and as we lay, bruised and discouraged, we might forget that God is merciful.

Fear comes when judgment is expected. Sin causes us to see how much we deserve judgment. However, faith causes us to repent of our sin and hope in the mercy of God.

These passages remind us to have hope. God is merciful and knows our situation. We must not abandon our faith just because we have experienced defeats. Instead, we need to ask God to show us where we got off the path. He will surely reveal that to the repentant. Then we can trust in His faithfulness. He said, “The mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him.” We need to believe! Amen.