Surrounded by His Mercy

Mercy....

What is it?

Websters Dictionary says, "That benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves."

Mercy is to treat some who has offended us better than he deserves....

Do we need mercy? Absolutely!!

We have all sinned (Rom. 3:23) and deserve to die for our transgressions. What does God do because of His great love for us? He offers us mercy. Instead of giving us no hope because we have sinned, He offers us the gift of mercy which is eternal life through Jesus Christ (Rom. 6:23).

Imagine if we are surrounded with mercy, how would that be? Psalms 32:10 says, "Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about."

There it is - mercy will surround the person who trusts in the Lord. What a comforting thought!

Sometimes we look at the worldly people around us and think that we have more trials and problems to go through than they do. But according to Ps. 32:10, it says, "Many sorrows shall be to the wicked..."

It may seem like they have a good time with no trials or problems, but actually we don't know what's lying deep in their hearts. They may not outwardly express it, but many times they are fearfully troubled and have no peace in their hearts. Why? Because mercy is not surrounding them. They don't know God's peace of forgiveness.

Egw says, "Are the wicked free from disappointment, perplexity, earthly losses, poverty, and distress? Many of them suffer a lingering sickness, yet have no strong and mighty One to lean upon, no strengthening grace from a higher power to support them in their weakness. They lean upon their own strength. They obtain no consolation by looking forward to the future, but a fearful uncertainty torments them; and thus they close their eyes in death, not finding any pleasure in looking forward to the resurrection morn, for they have no cheering hope that they shall have part in the first resurrection."  Our High Calling, page 9.

Does that sound like a life we want to live? No!! It might look good on the outside, but it brings no peace or happiness in the heart. No mercy is surrounding them.

"The Christian is subject to sickness, disappointment, poverty, reproach, and distress. Yet amid all this he loves God, he chooses to do His will, and prizes nothing so highly as His approbation. In the conflicting trials and changing scenes of this life, he knows that there is One who knows it all, One who will bend His ear low to the cry of the sorrowful and distressed, One who can sympathize with every sorrow and soothe the keen anguish of every heart. . . . 

"Amid all his affliction, the Christian has strong consolation. And if God permits him to suffer a lingering, distressing sickness before he closes his eyes in death, he can with cheerfulness bear it all. . . . He contemplates the future with heavenly satisfaction. A short rest in the grave, and then the Life-giver will break the fetters of the tomb, release the captive, and bring him from his dusty bed immortal, never more to know pain, sorrow, or death. Oh, what a hope is the Christian's! Let this hope of the Christian be mine. Let it be yours." Our High Calling, page 9.

That is being surrounded by God's mercy. What peace it brings! What hope it calls to mind! And what happiness and trust, knowing that God is in control and He will take care of His children! Though we don't deserve God's mercy, yet He freely offers it to us if we will only accept it!

As the great hymn writer, Charles Wesley says,

Depth of mercy! can there be

Mercy still reserved for me?

Can my God His wrath forbear,

Me, the chief of sinners, spare?

Let's always remember God's mercy is freely bestowed upon us if we only accept it!

Surrounded by His mercy...