The concept of God's mercy is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting His compassionate and forgiving nature towards humanity. The mercy of God is not a fleeting or temporary attribute; rather, it is manifested with everlasting kindness, underscoring His eternal commitment to His creation.

Old Testament Foundations

The Hebrew word often translated as "mercy" is "chesed," which encompasses loving-kindness, steadfast love, and covenantal loyalty. This term is frequently used to describe God's relationship with His people, Israel. In Exodus 34:6, God reveals Himself to Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and truth." This declaration highlights the enduring nature of God's mercy as part of His divine character.

The Psalms are replete with references to God's mercy. Psalm 136 is a notable example, where each verse concludes with the refrain, "His loving devotion endures forever." This repetition emphasizes the perpetual and unwavering nature of God's mercy. Similarly, Psalm 103:17 states, "But from everlasting to everlasting the loving devotion of the LORD extends to those who fear Him, and His righteousness to their children’s children."

Prophetic Assurance

The prophets also speak of God's mercy as an everlasting promise. In Isaiah 54:8, God assures His people, "In a surge of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you," declares the LORD your Redeemer. This passage reflects the temporary nature of God's discipline contrasted with the permanence of His mercy.

Jeremiah 31:3 further affirms this truth: "The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: 'I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving devotion.'" Here, God's mercy is intertwined with His eternal love, drawing His people back to Himself despite their waywardness.

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the mercy of God is most fully manifested in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Christ are the ultimate expressions of God's mercy towards humanity. Ephesians 2:4-5 declares, "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved."

The Apostle Paul frequently emphasizes the mercy of God in his epistles. In Titus 3:5, he writes, "He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit." This underscores the unmerited nature of God's mercy, which is not contingent upon human effort but is a gift of His grace.

Practical Implications

The everlasting kindness of God's mercy has profound implications for believers. It assures them of God's unchanging love and faithfulness, providing comfort and hope in times of trial. Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us, "Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!"

Believers are called to emulate God's mercy in their interactions with others. Jesus taught in Matthew 5:7, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." This beatitude encourages Christians to reflect God's character by extending mercy and kindness to those around them.

In summary, the mercy of God, manifested with everlasting kindness, is a testament to His unchanging nature and His eternal commitment to His people. It is a source of hope, comfort, and inspiration for believers, calling them to live lives marked by mercy and compassion.Isaiah 54:8
In a little wrath I hid my face from you for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on you, said the LORD your Redeemer.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Divine Shepherd
... The contemplation of the love of God manifested in His Son ... be removed, saith the
Lord that hath mercy on thee ... the bosom of the Father, He whom God has declared ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 52 the divine shepherd.htm

The Doctrine of God
... the anxious and loving father. (1) How the Mercy and Loving-kindness
of God are manifested. In general: We must not ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of god.htm

The Case of the Christian under the Hiding of God's Face.
... have mercy upon me!' (Psa.123:3) And though my ... of the Lord, and stay myself upon
my God,' (Isa.1 ... Zech.14:7) I know thou hast sometimes manifested thy compassion ...
/.../the rise and progress of religion in the soul/chapter xxiv the case of.htm

Koph.
... ripe season when Christ should be manifested in the ... because where He doth not show
mercy, the truth ... are these testimonies, save those wherein God hath declared ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/koph.htm

This Doctrine Confirmed by Proofs from Scripture.
... knoweth them that are his, but that which was known to God was manifested to men ...
Shortly after he concludes, "The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 22 this doctrine confirmed.htm

Election Confirmed by the Calling of God. The Reprobate Bring Upon ...
... any order of men; that, on the contrary, he had manifested his mercy in such ... Other
passages do not declare what God has, in his secret judgment, determined ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 24 election confirmed by.htm

The Sufferings of Christ Reconciled with the Goodness of God.
... Such was the mercy of God, that he could not leave his poor ... And hence the length,
the breadth, and the depth of his love could not have been manifested. ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter iii the sufferings of.htm

The Excellencies of the Saints' Rest.
... this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he ... blessed day shall convince us,
that though God hid his ... with everlasting kindness will he have mercy on us. ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter iii the excellencies of.htm

"God with Us"
... Him; His character must be manifested in contrast ... Counselor, The mighty God, The
everlasting Father, The ... redeemed will be an eternal testimony to God's mercy. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 1 god with us.htm

Earnest Expostulation
... Patient endurance of offenses and insults has been manifested by God to many of ... saved;
but foolishly, madly, hold out against the mercy of God which leads ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 29 1883/earnest expostulation.htm

What is the difference between mercy and grace? | GotQuestions.org

What is the mercy seat? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly (Micah 6:8)? | GotQuestions.org

Mercy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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