The Mercy of God: Tender
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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 tender mercy of God is an expression of His loving-kindness and willingness to forgive and restore those who turn to Him. This aspect of God's character is evident in both the Old and New Testaments, where His mercy is portrayed as an essential attribute of His divine nature.

Old Testament Insights

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "mercy" is "chesed," which encompasses love, kindness, and faithfulness. God's tender mercy is vividly illustrated in His dealings with the nation of Israel. Despite their repeated disobedience and rebellion, God continually extends His mercy to them. In the book of Psalms, David frequently appeals to God's mercy, recognizing it as the basis for forgiveness and restoration. Psalm 103:8 declares, "The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion."

The prophet Isaiah also highlights God's tender mercy, particularly in the context of redemption and restoration. Isaiah 54:7-8 states, "For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion I will bring you back. In a surge of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you, says the LORD your Redeemer."

New Testament Revelations

The New Testament further reveals the tender mercy of God through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Jesus embodies God's mercy, reaching out to the marginalized, healing the sick, and forgiving sinners. In the Gospel of Luke, Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, speaks of God's mercy in the context of salvation: "Because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high" (Luke 1:78). This passage underscores the idea that God's mercy is not only tender but also active, bringing light and hope to a darkened world.

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently emphasizes the mercy of God as foundational to the Christian faith. In Ephesians 2:4-5 , he writes, "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 its role in the salvation of believers.

Theological Implications

The tender mercy of God is not merely an abstract concept but has profound implications for believers. It assures them of God's willingness to forgive and restore, encouraging repentance and faith. God's mercy is also a model for human relationships, calling believers to extend mercy and forgiveness to others. Jesus' teaching in the Beatitudes, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (Matthew 5:7), reflects this principle.

Moreover, the tender mercy of God provides comfort and hope in times of suffering and distress. Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds believers, "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!" This assurance of God's unfailing mercy offers strength and encouragement to persevere through life's challenges.

In summary, the tender mercy of God is a profound and enduring theme in Scripture, revealing His compassionate nature and desire to restore and redeem His people. It is a source of hope, comfort, and inspiration for believers, calling them to reflect God's mercy in their own lives.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Psalm 25:6
Remember, O LORD, your tender mercies and your loving kindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 103:4
Who redeems your life from destruction; who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 1:78
Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high has visited us,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

"The Tender Mercy of Our God"
... But I do not think we ought to insist upon this as the only visit of God's tender
mercy, since the text is in the Revised Version rendered in the future: "The ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/the tender mercy of our.htm

Psalm 103 Part 2 God's Gentle Chastisement; Or, his Tender Mercy ...
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 103 PART 2 God's gentle chastisement; or, His tender
mercy to his people. v.8-18 LM. God's gentle chastisement ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 103 part 2 gods.htm

Psalm 103:2. 8-18. Second Part. LM God's Gentle Chastisement; Or ...
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 103:2. 8-18. Second Part. LM God's
gentle chastisement; or, His tender mercy to his people. ...
/.../watts/the psalms of david/psalm 103 2 0 8-18 second part.htm

The Mercy of God
... thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies.' Psalm 103:3. Give me such mercy as
speaks thy electing love to my soul. Oh pray for mercy! God has treasures of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/9 the mercy of god.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of ...
... But all this while, as to the act of sinning, I was never more tender than now ... be
forgiven me; yea, I was now so taken with the love and mercy of God, that I ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/grace abounding to the chief.htm

Two Innumerable Series
... more wonderful, of a yet greater mercy which wait ... to Him, but his contemplations
embrace God's goodness to ... of all this 'multitude of His tender mercies,' his ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/two innumerable series.htm

Tenderness.
... Like all other good qualities, this is found in perfection in the character of God.
"The Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy." Because of his pity he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/tenderness.htm

"I Beheld the Property of Mercy, and I Beheld the Property of ...
... belongeth to the Motherhood in tender love; and ... Mercy worketh: keeping, suffering,
quickening, and healing; and ... plenteous largess [159] of God's royal Lordship ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter xlviii i beheld the.htm

Sky, Earth, and Sea: a Parable of God
... their trust under the shadow of Thy wings.' God's lovingkindness, or mercy, as I ...
So God spreads the covert of His wing, strong and tender, beneath which we ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/sky earth and sea a.htm

God's Love for Man
... brings the mind into captivity to the will of God. ... of the cross, the more we see
mercy, tenderness, and ... of a love that is infinite and a tender pity surpassing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 1 gods love for.htm

Resources
What is Divine Mercy Sunday? | GotQuestions.org

What does it means that mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13)? | GotQuestions.org

What is the spiritual gift of mercy? | GotQuestions.org

Mercy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Mercy

Mercy: After the Example of God

Mercy: Beneficial to Those Who Exercise

Mercy: Blessedness of Showing

Mercy: Characteristic of Saints

Mercy: David to Saul

Mercy: Denunciations Against Those Devoid of

Mercy: Enjoined

Mercy: General Scriptures Concerning

Mercy: Hypocrites Devoid of

Mercy: Joshua to Rahab

Mercy: should be Shown with Cheerfulness

Mercy: should be Shown: To Animals

Mercy: should be Shown: To Backsliders

Mercy: should be Shown: To Our Brethren

Mercy: should be Shown: To the Poor

Mercy: should be Shown: To Those That are in Distress

Mercy: The Israelites to the Man of Beth-El

Mercy: The Prison Keeper, to Joseph

Mercy: To be Engraved on the Heart

Mercy: Upholds the Throne of Kings

The Mercy of God is his Delight

The Mercy of God is Part of his Character

The Mercy of God: A Ground of Hope

The Mercy of God: A Ground of Trust

The Mercy of God: Abundant

The Mercy of God: Epaphroditus

The Mercy of God: Everlasting

The Mercy of God: Filling the Earth

The Mercy of God: Great

The Mercy of God: High As Heaven

The Mercy of God: Lot

The Mercy of God: Manifested in Long-Suffering

The Mercy of God: Manifested in Salvation

The Mercy of God: Manifested in the Sending of Christ

The Mercy of God: Manifested with Everlasting Kindness

The Mercy of God: Manifested: To his People

The Mercy of God: Manifested: To Repentant Sinners

The Mercy of God: Manifested: To Returning Backsliders

The Mercy of God: Manifested: To the Afflicted

The Mercy of God: Manifested: To the Fatherless

The Mercy of God: Manifested: To Them That Fear Him

The Mercy of God: Manifested: To Whom he Will

The Mercy of God: Manifold

The Mercy of God: New Every Morning

The Mercy of God: Over all his Works

The Mercy of God: Paul

The Mercy of God: Plenteous

The Mercy of God: Rich

The Mercy of God: should be Magnified

The Mercy of God: should be Pleaded in Prayer

The Mercy of God: should be Rejoiced In

The Mercy of God: should be Sought for Others

The Mercy of God: should be Sought for Ourselves

The Mercy of God: Sure

The Mercy of God: Tender

The Mercy of God: Typified: Mercy Seat

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Is'the (1 Occurrence)

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Oak-the (1 Occurrence)

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Jok'the-el (1 Occurrence)

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Zeru'iah (24 Occurrences)

Kei'lah (16 Occurrences)

24000 (10 Occurrences)

Vapor (6 Occurrences)

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Knop (4 Occurrences)

Visiting (10 Occurrences)

Zaphon (4 Occurrences)

Zephani'ah (10 Occurrences)

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Koz (5 Occurrences)

Kadmiel (8 Occurrences)

The Mercy of God: Sure
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