[x_custom_headline type=”left” level=”h4″ looks_like=”h4″]Have you ever noticed how the word rich gets your attention? Perhaps that is because when we think of a rich person, we think of someone with great possessions and wealth sufficient to meet their needs, and provide them with the things they desire. So when people have things that we do not have, we are inclined to consider them rich.[/x_custom_headline]
For example, if someone where you work drives up one day in a new sports car or a luxury vehicle, the discussion around the break room table usually centers around the theory that she must have had a rich uncle who died, and left her some money. In other words, when we think of those who are rich, we have a tendency to think about how great the supply of wealth they must have at their disposal.
As it happens, my Father is extremely rich! To be clear, I am referring here to my Heavenly Father. In fact, throughout the Bible you will find references to the vast riches of Almighty God. And one of the things He is rich in, is mercy.
[x_blockquote cite=” Ephesians 2:4 KJV” type=”left”]“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us.”[/x_blockquote]
The word rich in this verse means: “Pertaining to that which exists in a large amount, in abundance.” This means He has a full supply, and will never run out of His mercy.
Our God is rich in mercy, so it is important that we gain some understanding of what mercy is and how to obtain it. Because our understanding of mercy will enable us to stand and not cave in or give up when the pressure against our lives is the greatest.
[highlight]So then what is mercy, you may ask.[/highlight] Well mercy is to help those in need. In fact, someone once defined mercy as follows: “Mercy assumes need on the part of the person who receives it, and the resources to adequately meet that need by the person who shows it.”
In the book of Exodus, the twenty-fifth chapter, the Lord instructed Moses to build the Tabernacle that was patterned after things in Heaven. Among those instructions was for Moses to build the mercy seat from which God would speak to His people.
[x_blockquote cite=”Exodus 25:21-22a KJV” type=”left”]“21 And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. 22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat…”[/x_blockquote]
The mercy seat served as God’s throne here on the earth. You see, it is at the throne that a king’s presence can be felt. So we see that when God communed with His people, He did so from the mercy seat. And the reason He does this is because God dwells in mercy!
When God sent Jesus to be our Savior, Lord, Healer, Provider, Redeemer and Life-Giver, it was an act of His mercy (see Luke 1:72). Jesus life on earth was a visible representation of the invisible Father’s will, purpose and love for man. The plan of redemption and Jesus’ earthly ministry were motivated by God’s mercy. Without question, the actions of Jesus were mercy in operation.
Jesus came into the world to save sinners, which tells us that Jesus came into the world to perform mercy. It was God’s mercy that raised us up and made us alive in Christ. And it is the mercy of God that provides both our salvation and the baptism of the Holy Ghost (see Titus 3:3-5).
[x_blockquote cite=”Lamentations 3:21-23 KJV” type=”left”]“21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”[/x_blockquote]
This passage of scripture tells us that God is so faithful to His mercy that He renews it every morning. Just think about how committed He is to extending His mercy to His own children. In fact, He has instructed us to come to His throne room and obtain His mercy when we have needs in our lives.
[x_blockquote cite=”Hebrews 4:16 KJV” type=”left”]“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”[/x_blockquote]
Perhaps you’ve never realized it but when the Lord meets the various needs in our lives, it is His mercy in operation. When He forgives us of sin, it is an act of His mercy. His healing power in operation in our lives is His mercy working for us. And when He imparts the wisdom we need to overcome a hurdle we are facing, it is all because of His great mercy.
[highlight]We must realize that it is the mercy of God that delivers us from the traps and snares of the enemy.[/highlight] So why not spend more time in the God’s throne room obtaining the mercy promised to you. Because our God is rich in mercy.
