God's Mercy
Wednesday August 6, 2014
When we read the Old Testament in the Bible we often wonder why some of the stories are there. There are good stories about people trusting God with good results and others about those who went their own way and reaped the consequences of falling into sin. The theme throughout the Bible is that God is merciful towards the people who turn to Him even when they have committed what we would consider “great sin”. Jesus said He came into the world not to save those who considered themselves righteous but those who knew they needed a Saviour.
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:13 NIV)
The Old Testament scriptures reveal God’s plan of redemption through Jesus Christ. The Pharisees, who supposedly knew and interpreted the scriptures, appeared to be blind to the words that were contained therein. Jesus challenged them over and over again to search the scriptures because they spoke of Him. However, even after witnessing miracle after miracle which only God could do, they continued in their opinion that Jesus was a threat to them and to the nation. Jesus spoke of those words that pointed to Him but their hearts were hardened and they chose not to believe.
Jesus said:“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” (Matthew 5:17-18 NIV)
Salvation is something the prophets did not understand but they wrote by the power of the Holy Spirit foretelling what was to come. They wrote about the suffering of the Messiah and the great glory that would come afterwards. They wrote about the mercy of God poured out on mankind.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! (Romans 5:8-9 NIV)
A few lines from an old song expresses the love of God for us as it says: The love of God is greater far that tongue or pen could ever tell. It goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell. What a wonderful merciful God we serve!
©2014 Partners in Hope
More information on this and other related topics @ www.partnersinhope.ca/resources
Audio for God's Mercy
Recent Meditations
Giving Hope
Partners in Hope is supported wholly by our friends and community. We are thankful to everyone who partners with us to help bring hope to the discouraged, hurting, and hopeless.