God's Mercy Always Precedes His Grace
Psalm 103:8-12 - “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."
Our passage begins stating the obvious, "The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy." Everyone who has truly come to Jesus for salvation and forgiveness realizes the mercy and grace of the Lord. We need to understand that mercy always precedes grace. Therefore, I will first seek mercy for the purpose of finding grace. Grace could not be offered if God was not merciful. Notice verses 10-12, "He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."
The New Testament records a prayer that begins with mercy which resulted in the granting of grace. It is short and to the point! Luke 18:13, “…God be merciful to me a sinner.” Jesus commented in verse 14, "...this man went down to his house justified..." You and I have been blessed to receive salvation by grace through faith, but only because the Lord is loving and merciful.
May our prayer life reflect a greater understanding of the place mercy has in our lives. Hebrews 4:16, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
Have a great day walking in the blessings of God's mercy and grace.
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
1. Please take a few moments today and rejoice in God’s mercy.
2. What has God’s mercy provided for you?
3. How did Christ respond to the penitent’s prayer? “God be merciful to me a sinner.”