The Mercy Of God

TEXT: Romans 9:15-16 NLT

"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."

DIVINE MERCY IS OF GOD

It is God's prerogative to show mercy on whomever he wishes to show mercy to. You cannot work for mercy. The Spirit of God's mercy chooses people. Romans 9:16 KJV says: "... it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy."

HOW TO OBTAIN MERCY

There a number of things we can do to attract divine mercy.

1. Be a member of God's family.

God loves the world so much that he gave us his son to die for our sin and whosoever believes in him (Jesus) will have eternal life (John 3:16). All those who receive Jesus and confess him with their mouth and believe in him with their hearts are adopted into the family of God as his children (John 1:12). Mercy is the life companion of all God's children. Grace is synonymous with mercy and grace is the birth right of all who are genuinely born again and live a lifestyle of holiness.

2. Show mercy to others.

"God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (Matt 5:7). If you are not merciful to others, mercy will not be extended to you. "There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you" (James 2:13).

3. Cry for Mercy.

As many that cry for God's mercy out of a sincere heart always receives mercy. Bartimaeus did exactly that and obtained mercy. "And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me" (Luke 28:39). In your time of need cry for mercy with a fervent heart and God will show you mercy.

4. Be intimate with the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit of God dispenses God's mercy. If you are his friend, mercy is guaranteed for you. Those who scorn the cross and make jest of the Spirit will find mercy difficult to obtain. Hebrews 10:29 says: "Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us."

5. Humble yourself.

James 4:6 tells us: "And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” The proud will find mercy illusive but humility attracts God's grace and mercy.

There are many other ways to attract God's grace or mercy but the starting point is to accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.

PRAYER:

Father, in my time of need; let your mercy not be far from me in Jesus name.

CONFESSION:

I am a product of God's mercy.

God bless you. Shalom.