Devotion: God's Mercy

One night, after Solomon had finished building the temple where God would choose as the place of sacrifice, God appeared to Solomon and said:

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (II Chronicles 7:14).

God went on to tell Solomon that if the people, which are called by his name, would humble themselves and pray, search for him, seeking his face, and turn from their evil wicked ways, he would hear them from heaven and would forgive them of their sins.  He would also heal their land.  This appears to be a reoccurring theme with God.

“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:1-2).

John the Baptist preached in the wilderness and taught that all should be baptized as a sign that they had chosen to repent, that is, choosing to turn their back on sin and turn to God so that he could forgive them of their sins.

“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).

Jesus also preached a very similar message of repentance, instructing all he encountered to turn from their sins and to turn to God so that he could forgive them of their sins.  Jesus was once quoted as saying to the scribes and Pharisees, “They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Mark 2:17).

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19).

Even Peter, who had the opportunity to speak to the crowd after healing the crippled man who sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple, told them to repent, to change their mind and attitude toward God, to turn away from their sins and turn to God so that he could cleanse away their sins.

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:10).

Therefore, humble yourself in the sight of God and he will lift you up.  As you give yourself humbly to God, draw close to him and he will draw close to you.  God wants you to turn from your evil wicked ways and to turn to him.  God has been so patiently waiting for you, without punishment, for you to repent or to change your way of thinking about sin and seek him so that he can forgive you of your sins.  God’s kindness and his goodness are meant to lead you to repentance (Romans 2:4).  This is “God’s mercy” in action, at its best.  But do not be deceived, for justice, judgment, and condemnation will come to all who choose to continue in their evil wicked ways and refuse to repent or change their thinking about their sins.

We pray this inspirational message will give you a new perspective on what is meant by “God’s mercy.”  We also pray that this message will bless you, inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW