Topical Bible: The Mercy of God: Manifold

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The concept of God's mercy is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting His compassionate and forgiving nature towards humanity. The manifold nature of God's mercy is evident in various aspects of His dealings with His creation, His covenant people, and individuals. This entry explores the multifaceted dimensions of God's mercy as revealed in Scripture.

1. Mercy in Creation and Sustenance

God's mercy is first demonstrated in the act of creation itself. Despite knowing the future rebellion of humanity, God created the world and declared it good (Genesis 1:31). His mercy is further evident in His ongoing sustenance of creation, as He provides for the needs of all living things. Psalm 145:9 states, "The LORD is good to all; His compassion rests on all He has made."

2. Mercy in Redemption

The ultimate expression of God's mercy is found in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Despite humanity's sinfulness, God, in His mercy, provided a way of salvation. Ephesians 2:4-5 highlights this truth: "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." This mercy is not earned but is a gift of God's grace, underscoring His desire to restore a broken relationship with His creation.

3. Mercy in Forgiveness

God's mercy is also evident in His willingness to forgive sins. Throughout the Old Testament, God repeatedly shows mercy to the Israelites despite their continual disobedience. In the New Testament, this theme continues as believers are encouraged to seek God's forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 assures us, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." God's mercy is inexhaustible, offering forgiveness to all who repent.

4. Mercy in Patience and Longsuffering

God's mercy is reflected in His patience and longsuffering towards sinners. Rather than executing immediate judgment, God often delays His wrath, giving individuals time to repent. 2 Peter 3:9 explains, "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." This aspect of God's mercy highlights His desire for all to come to salvation.

5. Mercy in Comfort and Compassion

God's mercy extends to providing comfort and compassion to those in distress. In times of suffering, God's mercy is a source of solace and strength. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 describes God as "the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles." His mercy is a balm for the wounded soul, offering hope and healing.

6. Mercy in Justice

While God's mercy is abundant, it is not at the expense of His justice. God's mercy and justice coexist perfectly, as seen in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, where God's justice was satisfied, and His mercy was extended to sinners. Romans 3:25-26 explains, "God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand. He did this to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and to justify the one who has faith in Jesus."

7. Mercy in Daily Life

Believers are called to reflect God's mercy in their daily lives. Jesus taught, "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful" (Luke 6:36). This call to mercy involves showing kindness, forgiveness, and compassion to others, mirroring the mercy that God has shown to us.

In summary, the manifold mercy of God is a profound and pervasive theme in the Bible, encompassing creation, redemption, forgiveness, patience, comfort, justice, and daily living. It is a testament to God's loving and compassionate nature, inviting all to experience His boundless grace.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Nehemiah 9:27
Therefore you delivered them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried to you, you heard them from heaven; and according to your manifold mercies you gave them saviors, who saved them out of the hand of their enemies.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Lamentations 3:32
But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Heaviness through Manifold Temptations
... is one gracious end of God's permitting those manifold temptations ... living hope also,
where unto "the God and Father ... us again of his abundant mercy." Indeed our ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 47 heaviness through manifold.htm

Letter cviii. To Theodore, Bishop of Forum Julii.
... The manifold mercy of God so assists men when they fall, that not only by the grace
of baptism but also by the remedy of penitence is the hope of eternal life ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter cviii to theodore bishop.htm

Sky, Earth, and Sea: a Parable of God
... 'Thy mercy, O Lord ... man and beast.7. How excellent is Thy loving-kindness, O God! ... This
wonderful description of the manifold brightness of the divine nature is ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/sky earth and sea a.htm

My God, Without Ceasing, I Will Tread the Threshold of Thy House
... 1. My God, without ceasing, I will tread the threshold ... For if, O Lord, the earth,
enriches manifold, a single ... their groans, open to me the door of Thy mercy! ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn iv my god without.htm

Election Confirmed by the Calling of God. The Reprobate Bring Upon ...
... will opposites, but, according to his manifold wisdom (so ... of their gloss upon another
passage, "God has concluded ... in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 24 election confirmed by.htm

'Lying Vanities'
... vanities'"can still call Him, 'my own Mercy.' He is ... own the deeper and more mysterious
union with God. ... for ever,' and speed on their manifold errands into ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/lying vanities.htm

Of Temptations
... season, he is often tempted by the great toil and manifold hindrances he ... discreetly
and temperately, and always to remember that the mercy of God is grater ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter ix of temptations.htm

"I Desired to Learn Assuredly as to a Certain Creature that I ...
... Mercy is a working that cometh of the goodness of God, and it ... Might and His Wisdom
we are kept; and by mercy and grace we are raised to manifold more joys ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter xxxv i desired to.htm

The Cry of the Mortal to the Undying
... the truth that God's lovingkindness and communicating mercy is His ... God is all fair,
but the central and substantial ... out the full abundance of its manifold gifts ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the cry of the mortal.htm

The Dispensation of the Divine Favours Reconciled with the ...
... So manifold and so multiform are the hidden causes upon which its solution depends,
that general ... Or, is the everlasting mercy of God, that sublime attribute ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter v the dispensation of.htm