Topical Bible: The Mercy of God: Sure

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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 mercy of God is often depicted as an essential attribute of His character, demonstrating His willingness to forgive sins and extend grace to those who seek Him.

Old Testament Foundations

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for mercy, "chesed," is frequently used to describe God's steadfast love and kindness. This term encompasses a range of meanings, including loyalty, faithfulness, and compassion. God's mercy is evident in His covenantal relationship with Israel, where He repeatedly forgives their transgressions and remains faithful to His promises despite their unfaithfulness.

One of the most profound declarations of God's mercy is found in Exodus 34:6-7, where God reveals Himself to Moses: "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and truth, maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin." This passage highlights God's readiness to forgive and His enduring patience with His people.

The Psalms frequently celebrate God's mercy, as seen in Psalm 103:8-12 : "The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins or repaid us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us."

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the Greek word "eleos" is used to describe God's mercy. The life and ministry of Jesus Christ are the ultimate demonstration of God's mercy, as He embodies divine compassion and forgiveness. Jesus' teachings and actions consistently reflect God's merciful nature, offering hope and redemption to sinners.

The Apostle Paul emphasizes the mercy of God in his epistles, particularly in Romans 9:15-16 : "For He says to Moses: 'I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.' So then, it does not depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy." This underscores the sovereignty of God's mercy, which is not earned by human effort but is a gift of His grace.

Ephesians 2:4-5 further illustrates this theme: "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." Here, God's mercy is linked to His love and grace, highlighting the transformative power of His compassion in bringing spiritual life to believers.

Practical Implications

The mercy of God calls believers to respond with gratitude and to emulate His compassion in their own lives. Jesus' parable of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18:21-35 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of extending mercy to others, as those who have received God's mercy are called to forgive and show kindness to their fellow human beings.

James 2:13 warns, "For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment." This verse emphasizes the necessity of mercy in the life of a believer, encouraging a spirit of forgiveness and compassion that reflects the character of God.

In summary, the mercy of God is a profound and pervasive theme in Scripture, revealing His compassionate nature and His desire to forgive and restore humanity. Through His mercy, God offers hope and redemption, calling believers to live lives marked by grace and compassion.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 55:3
Incline your ear, and come to me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Micah 7:20
You will perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek

3741. hosios -- righteous, pious, holy
... Definition: holy, pious Definition: holy, pious, godly, beloved of God. ... purity from
defilement), ie Hallowed (pious, sacred, sure) -- holy, mercy, shalt be ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3741.htm - 7k

Library

We Sure of To-Morrow? a New Year's Sermon
... Christian has to lay hold on all that God's mercy has done in ... into prophecy, and
triumph in that 'the God of Jacob ... We may be sure He will not abandon us at the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/we sure of to-morrow a.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of ...
... How if you have overstood the time of mercy? ... Sure, thought I, I am forsaken of God;
sure, I am given up to the devil, and to a reprobate mind: and thus I ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/grace abounding to the chief.htm

Sky, Earth, and Sea: a Parable of God
... Only when we are sure of God's faithfulness can we lift up thankful voices to Him,
'because His mercy endureth for ever.' A despotic monarch may be all full of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/sky earth and sea a.htm

"We Fail Oftentimes of the Sight of Him, and Anon we Fall into Our ...
... Enjoying: for God gave me understanding and knowing that it was ... fail, and I be left
to myself; sure hope was in ... I saw I should be kept by His mercy and brought ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter xlvii we fail oftentimes.htm

God's Judgments Shall Then be Explained.
... of justice due to himself, had not mercy intervened); why ... there was no injustice
in God's not willing ... a matter of certain knowledge, how sure, how unchangeable ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 95 gods judgments shall then.htm

"The Tender Mercy of Our God"
... The proclamation of the gospel in a nation, or to any individual, is a visit of
God's mercy. Whenever you come and hear the gospel, be you sure of this ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/the tender mercy of our.htm

Of a Spiritual Meeting of God and Ourselves
... Then, in this meeting, he shall receive through the mercy of God a sure hope of
eternal bliss and the remission of his sins; and he shall further receive the ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xxv of a spiritual.htm

"By the Assay of this Falling we Shall have an High Marvellous ...
... later we see it: and both of the Mercy of God. ... my Gracious Mother, my dearworthy
Mother, have mercy on me ... feel us not then eased forthwith, be we sure that He ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter lxi by the assay.htm

Two Things to be Observed in Gratuitous Justification.
... be by grace, to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed," (Rom.4:16).
It was abundantly confirmed when made to rest on the mercy of God alone, for ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 13 two things to.htm

"There is no Dread that Fully Pleaseth God in us but Reverent ...
... dread stirreth us to seek comfort and mercy of God ... for salvation, cleaving to [Him]
with sure trust: that ... same shall be in heaven afore God, gentle, courteous ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter lxxiv there is no.htm