Song Numbers 1

The Mercy of God 2

Ps. 108:4 [4] For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. 3

Ps. 119:64 [64] The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes. 4

Eph. 2:4 [4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5

2 Cor. 1:3 [3] Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 6

I. Mercy Defined 7

Kindness – loving kindness – to be gracious - love, pity “Compassionate treatment of an offender or adversary… compassionate treatment of the unfortunate and helpless.” (Webster’s Dictionary) 8

“Mercy is a disposition of the soul. It is a feeling for the suffering of others, and having the disposition to relieve this, suffering. When one is merciful, he weeps, gives, or serves from a heart filled with pity and compassion.” (Mike Riley) 9

“Mercy is God's attitude of grief, pitying and demonstrating compassion toward suffering mankind.” (Curtis Cates) 10

“Mercy is more than compassion. It has rightly been defined as ‘pity in action’. It might be used of man showing mercy to his fellow man, but often it reflects to God’s mercy bestowed on man through Christ. (Tom L. Bright) 11

“Mercy” and “lovingkindness” are used interchangeably in the KJV and ASV 12

II. How God has shown His mercy 13

1. In bringing redemption Ps. 86:5 [5] For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. 14

Eph. 2:4-5 [4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, [5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 15

Eph. 2:8-9 [8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast. 16

2. In being mindful of us and caring for us Mt. 6:25-34 Verse 25 [25] Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 17

“Behold the fowls of the air” “Consider the lilies of the field” Verse 32 [32]…for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 18

1 Pet. 5:7 [7] Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 19

Acts 17:25 [25] Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 20

3. In preserving and blessing us Prov. 20:28 [28] Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy. 21

Eph. 1:3 [3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 22

4. In forgiving and saving us Rom. 5:8-10 [8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 23

[10] For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 24

1 Jn. 1:7-9 [7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. [8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 25

[9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 26

III. Our attitude toward God’s mercy 27

We must learn what His will is regarding how He gives us His mercy God’s mercy is given in accordance to His will --- we must submit to His commandments 28

Lk. 18:13-14 [13] And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. 29

Mt. 9:27 [27] And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us. 30

Mt. 15:22 [22] And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 31

Mk. 10:47-48 [47] And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. [48] And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 32

Mt. 5:7 [7] Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 33

The merciful shall obtain mercy--- we must develop the attitude of pitying & showing loving kindness to others 34

Rom. 15:1-3 [1] We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. [2] Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. 35

[3] For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. 36

Rom. 12:15 [15] Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep 37

Gal. 6:2 [2] Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 38

Heb. 4:16 [16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 39