Exodus 34:6-7 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering… I. WHAT THE MERCY OF GOD IS. 1. That perfection whereby He assists His creatures in misery (Lamentations 3:22). 2. His mercy is infinitely great (Psalm 145:8). 3. He is the Fountain and Father of mercy (2 Corinthians 1:3). II. TO WHOM GOD IS GENERALLY AND ESPECIALLY MERCIFUL. 1. To mankind in general (Psalm 145:9). 2. He continues life notwithstanding our sins (Psalm 86:13). 3. In delivering out of troubles (Psalm 107:13). 4. In granting all the necessaries of life (Matthew 5:45). 5. Especially is He merciful to His people (Deuteronomy 32:43). 6. In pardoning all their sins (Hebrews 8:12). 7. In quickening them to newness of life (Ephesians 2:4, 5). 8. In assisting us to exercise all true grace (1 Corinthians 7:25). 9. Support under spiritual troubles (Psalm 94:17-19). 10. Blessing troubles for our good (Hebrews 12:10). 11. Bringing to heaven at last (Titus 3:8). III. THE USES THAT ARE TO BE MADE OF GOD'S MERCY. 1. Not to abuse it to licentiousness (Romans 6:1, 2). 2. We should be merciful to others (Luke 6:36). 3. Pardoning their injuries, pitying their miseries, and relieving their necessities (Galatians 6:10). 4. We must attribute all our blessings to the mercy of God towards us (Psalm 115:1). 5. This should teach us to love Him (Psalm 106:1). 6. Cause us to fear Him (Psalm 103:11). 7. And induce us to praise Him (Psalm 103:2, 3, 4). 8. God's mercies are greater than our miseries (1 John 4:4). 9. They are sealed to us by Christ's blood (Hebrews 12:24). 10. His mercy is only known by the influence of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13, 14). (T. B. Baker.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, |