GRACIOUS BLESSINGS ON THE PLATFORM OF GOD'S MERCY
Study Text: Hebrews 4:16.
Introduction
- Man doesn’t always get what he requires, pursues or deserves, but what the mercy of God delivers to him: Romans 9:16.
- Most certainly, it is not the strongest of the species that always survive in life, not the most intelligent, not the most hardworking, but those who are the most receptive to the mercies of God.
- Mercy is that platform, which allows the favour of God or gracious blessings to flow towards a person or group of persons.
- Mercy is the outflow of God’s compassion and forbearance that graciously shuts the doors against harm but conveys blessings to His people who have obtained mercy on their journeys of life (Psalms 23:6).
- We shall discuss the topic under three subheadings:
1. The Worth of God's Mercy
2. The Works of God's Mercy
3. The Ways to God's Mercy
1. The Worth of God's Mercy
- Mercy is readily available only at the throne of grace, because the cost of it is the priceless blood of Jesus Christ.
- God’s plan stems from His merciful love for His people. Knowing there was nothing we could do to earn our way into His presence, He made a way through the crucifixion of Christ.
- Defeating death, Jesus opened up access to God for us. Through prayer, God’s Word, and the Holy Spirit living in us, each day brings fresh new mercy.
- Mercy is God’s gift to the repentant heart. The following verses define this element of God’s love:
“You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.” (Psalm 86:5)
“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 transgressions- it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:4-5)
“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:5)
- God’s mercy is never-failing because it is as eternal as it is everlasting, and it is as dependable as it is reliable. The mercy of the Lord is ever sure and durable (Isaiah 55:3).
- Moreover, we need the mercy of God in order to secure access to everything obtainable in the kingdom of God.
- God revealed Himself to Moses on the platform of mercy (Exodus 33:18-23; Romans 9:15-16).
- Jesus revealed to the Pharisees that He came to show mercy (Matthew 9:10-13)
- Whatever is given by God to man, is provided on the platform of mercy, and only those that are washed by the blood of Jesus Christ can approach the throne of grace.
- We receive forgiveness, blessing, healing, ministry, strength to finish strong and so many others, by mercy. Access to the kingdom of God is obtained by mercy.
- Mercy works at the instance of faith. When living faith is provoked, the mercy of God speaks! (Acts 14:8-10). Everyone that approached Him for mercy was justified in one way or the other.
- When the mercy of God is in operation, the impossible becomes possible; the dead situation comes alive; the dry bones live again; garment of iniquity is replaced with garment of righteousness; the handwriting of ordinances designed against one is blotted out.
- Rejecting the mercy of God implies that we are trying to relegate the righteousness of God, thereby promoting self righteousness, which lead to destruction.
- A man that has not encountered the Cross will never see the need for mercy. He believes he has the power and might to do everything.
- Only a humble man with a contrite heart, spirit and a broken heart, can genuinely seek and obtain the mercy of God.
- Mercy is not dependent on our ability or strength but God’s grace. Romans 9:16. Mercy is not earned but granted by God’s grace alone. Hebrews 4:16.
2. The Works of God's Mercy
- We cannot actually quantify the importance of the mercy of God in the life of a man. But some of the notable works of mercy are mentioned below.
1. God’s mercy turns a rejected person into the accepted and beloved.
- Whenever a sinner or wicked person turns away from his sins and wickedness, and turns to God, God will receive him and fellowship with him through mercy. Isaiah 55:6-8.
2. God’s mercy turns insurmountable obstacles into stepping stones for greatness.
- When God visit a man with His mercy, difficult situations and obstacles, are turned around as instruments of progress and success in life. Romans 8:28
- When the Lord showed mercy to the Jews during Mordecai's days, what was supposed to be for their total destruction, was turned to be for their total deliverance.
3. God’s mercy turns a man from obscurity to a limelight and manifestation.
- Not minding the family background, academic qualifications, material possession and so on, God can bring out a man from a zero level to a hero level by mercy.
- David was so insignificant in his family that even his father could not remember him, or was not considering him for the kingship position, until Samuel insisted. 1 Samuel 16: 11-12.
4. The Mercy of God prevents us from being consumed by the adverse forces of life (Lam. 3:22-23).
- The Mercy of God is the reason why you cannot be finished, swallowed or eaten up by the enemy and the adversity of life.
- If you are associated with the Mercy of God, you do not need to be afraid. If it wasn’t for the mercy of God, we would have been finished since by diverse circumstances, situations and issues of life.
5. The Mercy of God shields us from the anger of our enemies (Psalms 136:24; 18:3).
- The reason why what the enemy planned and programmed against us cannot happen is the mercy of God. He promised that their weapons shall not prosper over our lives. Isaiah 54: 17.
6. The Mercy of God releases direction for our lives (Psalms 136:16).
- The Mercy of God causes God not to leave us to ourselves if we sincerely seek His face for divine directions. Because if we were left to ourselves, we would mess up. Divine direction will come as a product of Divine mercy.
- God in mercy will not leave you to marry the wrong spouse or follow the wrong path if you subscribe to that mercy. In His mercy, He will pull us from wrong steps and wrong moves. Proverbs 3: 5-8.
7. The Mercy of God unleashes the judgment of God on the enemies of God’s people (Psalms 136:17-22).
- The mercy of God will speaks for the people of God, and this will bring the judgment of God on their enemies.
8. The Mercy of God shields us from the consequences of wrong actions and errors (John 8:1-11).
- The Mercy of God does not mean taking God for granted or living in sin. When you take the mercy of God for granted, you end up in a mess.
- God’s mercy manifests in various ways:
1. God’s mercy manifest in His salvation plan for the redemption of man back to Himself. After all, He created man for His own pleasure.
2. God’s mercy manifests in His forgiveness and His pardoning of our sins and iniquities. Numbers 14:19, Proverbs 28:13.
3. God’s mercy manifests in his sending us Jesus as a man to live in our midst so that He can be an example to us as to how to live the Kingdom life. John 1:1-5
4. God’s mercy manifested in Jesus coming as a man so that He will be a High Priest that understands our infirmities and our human weaknesses. Hebrew 4:15.
5. The mercy of God is God’s kindness in action. Psalm 51:1. God’s mercy secures our pardon from the wages of sin which is death. Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 15:10, Ephesians 2:4-5.
3. The Ways to God's Mercy
- Mercy is not dependent on our ability or strength but God’s grace. Romans 9:16. Mercy is not earned but granted by God’s grace alone. Hebrews 4:16.
- However, there are certain things that can position us in a way that the mercy of God will not be withheld from us.
1. Those that know Him and have become His friends. Proverbs 3:1-4.
- We come to His kingdom and became His Children by mercy, so we must remain His children to continue to enjoy His mercy. John 1:11-12.
2. Those that obey His word and keep His commandments. Psalm 25:10, Exodus 20:6.
- God is a covenant keeping God, and He keeps His covenant with only those that love Him and observe His commandments. Nehemiah 1:5.
3. Those that are willing to forgive and show mercy to others. Matthew 5:7.
- Jesus taught that only the merciful will be considered for the mercy of God, and in His prayer, He stated that our heavenly Father should forgive us as we forgive those that trespass against us.
- When we have eyes and bowels full of mercy towards others, we will be rich in the mercy of God, because, His mercy will always flow in our direction.
4. Those that are living and walking in His righteousness. Psalms 1: 1-5.
- Of course, a life of righteousness is an uncompromising condition to enjoy any of the blessings of God, including His mercy.
5. Those that are willing to let go of the baggage from the past and move forward. Philippians 3:13.
- Mercy of God will flow in our direction, if we can believe God for glorious new things in our life. We need to put behind us the past failures, disappointments and discouragements. Isaiah 43: 18-19.
6. Those that have faith in God and totally depend on Him. Psalm 32:10.
- Without faith, it is impossible to please God, and the Bible emphasize that a double minded person cannot receive anything from God, and this include His mercy. James 1: 5-8.
7. Those that are grateful unto Him, thanking Him for His mercies (John 6:11-12; Psalms 106:1; 118:1-3).
- Appreciation brings multiplication; anything you thank God for multiplies. Thank God for any mercy you have seen and you will multiply mercy in your life
8. Those that can pray fervently, asking God for His mercies (Mark 10:47-48).
- Asking for His mercy should be a regular component of our daily prayers to Him, as individuals, families and the Church of God. Mathew 7:7.
Conclusion:
- Our God is a faithful God, full of mercy, and He had never denied any sincere heart crying for His mercy.
- We all need the mercy of God in all areas of our lives, our homes, our Churches and our nation. He will not deny us His Mercy if we come unto Him. Matthew 11:28.
- All He requires from us is godly sorrow over our sins and wickedness, that will produce genuine repentance in us, and a willingness to turn to Him in righteousness.
