MERCY MERCY ME, I AM THANKFUL GOD'S MERCY IS EVERLASTING!!

YOUR SOURCE OF MERCY

“. His MERCY is everlasting… “  (Psalms 100:5 KJV).

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Grace extends to you undeserving favors, but MERCY takes it even further by withholding fair punishment from you. “…Mercy triumphs over judgement.” (James 2:13 NASB).

In the story of the Ungrateful Servant, God’s grace gave him undeserved favor by erasing his entire debt. God’s mercy withheld the punishment of selling off his wife, children, and property. God’s acts of grace influences his acts of mercy. God is“... RICH IN MERCY…” (Ephesians 2:1-5 KJV). (Isaiah 63:9 NASB). “...[Thankfully]... it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it...” (Romans 9:14-16 NLT).

God erased the servant’s debt so he no longer had to be punished for it by his creditors. Read the parable again and see God’s GRACE and MERCY in action. “…The Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him. In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. He couldn’t pay, so his master ordered that he be sold—along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned—to pay the debt.

“But the man fell down before his master and begged him, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.’ Then his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt.

But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment.

“His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it,’ he pleaded. But his creditor wouldn’t wait. He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full. “When some of the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They went to the king and told him everything that had happened.

Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt.

“That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart…” (Matthew 18:23-35 NLT).

Since grace is not a normal human response to wrongs and offenses, people usually devise some kind of punishment in retaliation. “…DO NOT repay evil with evil or insult with insult…” (1 Peter 3:9 NIV).

In the story of the ungrateful servant, after all his own debt was forgiven and he was shown great mercy; look how his responds to his fellow servant: “..his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt. “BUT when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment.  “His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it,’ he pleaded. But his creditor wouldn’t wait. He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full…” (Matthew 18:23-35 NLT).

GRACE will influence MERCY. In my last chapter I talked about people who showed me no grace and therefore no mercy either.

Instead, they chose to punish me for my alleged wrongs and offenses. “…DO NOT repay evil with evil or insult with insult…” (1 Peter 3:9 NIV). Their punishment was to shut me out of their lives, stop talking to me, stop showing love and care, stop inviting me, or they blamed me for the entire situation, didn’t call or show concern, perpetually mistreated me while I was recovering from brain surgery of all things, and offered no comfort whatsoever. “...Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God, for it is written: "Vengeance (justice, not revenge) belongeth unto to me; I will recompense (repay)," saith the Lord…” (Romans 12:19 ASV).

They felt justified for their actions and they found people to agree with their behavior. A 40+ year old relationship destroyed. “…Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness …they have no understanding, no fidelity, NO LOVE, NO MERCY. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.…” (Romans 1:32 NASB).

Without grace or mercy I experienced their wrath through mistreatment for months. On top of trying to recover from one of the worst experiences of my life; I was “punished” for my alleged wrongs by a key person important to my heart. “...‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ …” (Matthew 18:23-35 NLT).

This made recovery challenging and I cried a little more than normal. I was already processing through the emotional realities of my brain bleed and why it happened TO ME in the first place. Further, I was now considered disabled. Where was my grace? Where was my mercy? Don’t get me wrong grace and mercy was shown among the many loving people that surrounded me, but NOT EVERYONE.

NOT my 40+ year friendship. I didn’t agree with the offenses I was accused of, but I didn’t negate them either. What offends or hurts one people may not offend or hurt another. People’s feelings are neither right nor wrong; they are just feelings. However, acting on certain feelings whether than truth can become destructive.

Thus, I witnessed and experienced, first-hand, how harsh, unkind, and mean-spirited human nature can be, especially when merciless people are deliberately treating or punishing you the way they “feel” you deserve to be treated or punished.

“...Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God, for it is written: "Vengeance (justice, not revenge) belongeth unto to me; I will recompense (repay)," saith the Lord…” (Romans 12:19 ASV). “…Furthermore…they have no understanding, no fidelity, NO LOVE, NO MERCY.…” (Romans 1:32 NASB). “…Mercy triumphs over judgement.” (James 2:13 NASB).

There are people you are not seeking to punish or get revenge on them, but maybe it is simply not healthy to associate with them; at the moment. However, you are or will be kind and merciful toward them.

I am basically talking about people who intentionally aim to punish or get revenge on another person, because they did something to them and they want to get them back. “…DO NOT repay evil with evil or insult with insult…” (1 Peter 3:9 NIV). “Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God, for it is written: "Vengeance belongeth unto to me; I will recompense (repay)," saith the Lord…” (Romans 12:19 ASV). “…In this world we are like Jesus…” (1 John 4:17 NIV).

God is endlessly merciful to the worst offenders, the worst sinners, and the worst rebels. Even though he knows they are guilty of offending and sinning against him in MANY ways. “…[God, the Holy Spirit’s]...mercy triumphs over judgement.” (James 2:13 NASB). “…[God]…WILL HEAL their apostasy, [and]…love them freely…” (Hosea 14:4 KJV).  “...Fortunate for the undeserving, “...HE DELIGHTETH IN MERCY…” (Micah 7:18 KJV). “..Come boldly unto the throne of GRACE ...[and]...obtain mercy…” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV). God is“... RICH IN MERCY…” (Ephesians 2:1-5 KJV).

“...Herein is [merciful]…love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (substitute, intervention) for our sins.” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “...For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God[‘s merciful Love]...”(EPHESIANS 2:8-9 KJV). God redeemed us back into a right relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. . “…Christ …. died for sins ONCE for all, the just for the unjust, SO THAT HE MIGHT BRING US [BACK]…TO GOD…” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB).

Everybody, including your Momma, and all your cousins have sinned. “…All have sinned (including you and everyone else has) ...fallen short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23).

Most MERCILESS people often deserve the very punishment they seek to inflict on someone else. MERCILESS people have forgotten or are not yet aware that they, themselves, have sinned against the HOLY God. King David said to God, “…Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just…” (Psalms 51:4 NLT).

“…against thee, thee only, have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight, that thou mightiest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest…” (Psalms 51:4 KJV).

God “IS” “... rich in mercy… [because of]... his great love…even when [you] were dead in sins, had quickened [you] together with Christ (by grace are ye saved)…” (Ephesians 2:1-5 KJV). “…God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son...the just for the unjust...that whosoever believeth in him should not perish (be punished)…” (John 3:16 KJV & 1 Peter 3:18 NASB).

You didn’t meet God’s standards of righteousness or holiness, but he responded with GRACE anyway through HIS free GIFT of Salvation in Jesus Christ. HE also made you brand new. “...Therefore if any man (woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new...” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

NO human being upon earth deserves salvation, or earns it, nor are they worthy of it. “...he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy....” (Titus 3:5 NIV). “…[In HIS] ... love and in His mercy He redeemed [his people]…” (Isaiah 63:9 NASB).  “…Christ died for [your] sins according to the scriptures;  And …he was buried, and … rose again the third day according to the scriptures...” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV). God, being “... RICH IN MERCY… [because of]... his great love…had quickened [you] together with Christ (by grace are ye saved)…” (Ephesians 2:1-5 KJV).

“…O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God…” (Micah 6:8 NLT).

“…He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8 KJV). God’s mercy is generously offered to his people. He has shown them what is good through his GRACE and MERCY toward them and now requires his people to do the same.

“…Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because HE DELIGHTETH IN MERCY…” (Micah 7:18 KJV). “…In this world we are like Jesus…” (1 John 4:17 NIV). ^“…it is God who works in [his people]... to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV).

Being MERCILESS toward others is NOT becoming of a child of God and does NOT offer HIM glory. “…Talk and act like a person expecting to be judged by the Rule that sets us free. For if you refuse to act kindly, you can hardly expect to be treated kindly. Kind mercy wins over harsh judgment every time...” (JAMES 2:12-13 MSG). “…Mercy triumphs over judgement.” (James 2:13 NASB).

It doesn’t matter what someone has done to you, or how long they’ve done it, or how horrible it was, or how deserving they may be of punishment; it is NOT for God’s people to avenge or get revenge for themselves.  “…DO NOT repay evil with evil or insult with insult…” (1 Peter 3:9 NIV). “...Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God, for it is written: "Vengeance belongeth unto to me; I will recompense (repay)," saith the Lord…” (Romans 12:19 ASV).

God “...delights in MERCY" and not human revenge (Micah 7:18). “..O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is GOOD; for his mercy endureth for ever...” (1 Chronicles…” 16:34 KJV). “...It came …to pass, as … [they] praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever…” (2 Chronicles 5:13-14 KJV). “…The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy…” (Psalms 103:8 KJV). “…For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him…” (Psalms 103:11 KJV). “…But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children…” (Psalms 103:17 KJV).

God’s mercy is full of compassion and he totally empathizes with his people’s various problems with overcoming the sinful nature. “...For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15 NIV).

His merciful compassion through Jesus, which reveals HIS HOLY love shows his concern and understanding regarding the struggle mankind has with overcoming the sinful nature. “...Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (substitute, intervention) for our sins.” (1 John 4:10 KJV).

God, the Holy Spirit of MERCIFUL LOVE put on human flesh, which revealed his concern and empathize, on a personal level, with mankind’s plight with the sinful nature. “...Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people…” (Hebrew 2:17 NLT).

MERCILESSNESS was the stimulus that entered in my surrounding environment, but when I responded my REACTION was one of thankfulness for God’s MERCY.

A new behavior of thankfulness for his MERCY developed. We love ourselves and others mercifully, because God first loved us mercifully. “...We love, because HE FIRST LOVED US…” (1 John 4:19 ASV). “…[God]...delighteth in mercy…” (Micah 7:18 KJV). “…A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  …” (John 13:34-35 KJV). “...By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another…” (John 13:34-35 KJV).   And it “…prove(s) [to you]…what [is in your own]…heart, whether [you]…wouldest keep his commandments, or no...” (Deuteronomy 8:2 KJV). “….the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ:” 1 Peter 1:7 ASV). “...[God] knoweth the way that I take; when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold…” (Job 23:10 KJV).

When you show GRACE and MERCY to those, you think, don’ deserve it; it pleases God who “…delighteth in mercy…” (Micah 7:18 KJV). In fact, God’s requires his people to be merciful. “…O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God…” (Micah 6:8 NLT).  “…He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8 KJV).  

MERCY will humble you and will cost you your pride. “...Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me...” (Matthew 16:24 NASB). However, WHATEVER and EVERYTHING you give up or gave up - God will give it back to you 100 times. “…‘We’ve given up everything to follow you…” (Mark 10:28-31 NLT). And Jesus said to him, “…I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brother, sisters, mothers, children, and property – along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life...” (Mark 10:28-31 NLT).

You don’t have to like God’s merciful attribute that is governed by his love for mankind or understand it, but you do have to respect that MERCY is his delightful will. “… delighteth in mercy…” (Micah 7:18 KJV). “...Are [Job and his friends]… saying, then, that God was unfair? Of course [he’s]…not! For God said to Moses, “I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.” So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it...” (Romans 9:14-16 NLT).

It gives God pleasure to show MERCY to human beings, no matter how undeserving. “…Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because HE DELIGHTETH IN MERCY…” (Micah 7:18 KJV).

Showing GRACE and MERCY to the underserving may be one of the hardest parts of the Christian journey. “...is there anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV). You CANNOT do it without, the empowerment, of the indwelling Christ. “….apart from Me, you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). Yet, “...I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me...” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).“…For it is God who works in [me]… to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). “…this is what [God, the Holy Spirit]... requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God…” (Micah 6:8 NLT).  

God “… delighteth in mercy…” (Micah 7:18 KJV) simply because God is“... RICH IN MERCY…” (Ephesians 2:1-5 KJV). “…The Lord is ...of great mercy…” (Number 14:18 KJV). “…The Lord God, [IS] merciful …” (Exodus 34:6 KJV). So God’s merciful “love …always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres, [God’s]…love never fails…” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV).

God is CONFIDENT about his GRACE and MERCY. God, the Holy Spirit of MERCIFUL LOVE continually offers his SALVATION and gifts of HOLY love to EVERYONE who chooses to receive, even the WORST, unrepentant sinners. ”…  ye [are]…saved through faith…it is the GIFT of God…” (Ephesians 2:8 KJV). “…The GIFT by grace……” (Romans 5:15 KJV). “…The GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ ….” (Romans 6:23 KJV).  “….ye shall receive the GIFT of the Holy Ghost…” (Acts 2:38 KJV). “…the GIFT of righteousness…” (Romans 5:17 KJV). “…I am leaving you with a GIFT—peace of mind and heart...” (John 14:27 KJV). “…God has given us different GIFTS for doing certain things well…” (Romans 12:6 NLT). “…every man hath his proper GIFT of God...” (2 Corinthians 7:7 KJV). “…Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable GIFT(S)…” (2 Corinthians  9:16 KJV). “…his divine power hath given unto us ALL THINGS that pertain unto life and godliness…” (2 Peter 1:3 KJV).

MERCY is a hard thing to elicit from most human beings after some offenses, but NEVER from God. God’s MERCY is immutable and is always GOVERNED by his HOLY LOVE.  “… [God, the Holy Spirit]...delighteth in mercy…” (Micah 7:18 KJV).

When human mercy runs out or is nowhere to be found God’s MERCY is there for you FOREVER!! “..O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old…” (PSALM 25:6 KJV).

God is your SOURCE of immutable MERCY. “…The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. THEY ARE NEW EVERY MORNING….” (LAMENTATIONS 3:22-23). “…O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is GOOD; for his mercy endureth for ever” (1 Chronicles…” 16:34 KJV). “...[God’s] …Holy Spirit …is the SOURCE [of  it ALL]…” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).