Date: Monday, 22nd July, 2024
Text: Psalm 103:8-14
Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan
Exhortation:
Mercy is one of the qualities of the Most High. If not for this divine attribute, the world would probably have been destroyed long ago because of the wickedness of Mankind. But his mercy brings forgiveness when God sees evidence of repentance.
We enjoy a lot of things by God’s mercy. Prophet Jeremiah said, “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23
In today’s text, the Psalmist also confirmed saying, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities.
“For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.” Psalm 103:8-14
The implication of enjoying God’s mercy is to reciprocate his kind gesture by not taking it for granted.
Psalm 103 verse 13 says, “As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him.” This signifies that there is a strong connection between the fear of God and his mercy. The more you fear God the more of His mercy you will enjoy. The reverse is also true- the less you fear God the less of his mercy you will enjoy. So the ball is actually in our courts.
Another implication of his mercies which we enjoy is that we are obligated to extend the same kind gesture to our fellow men. If God has forgiven our unrighteousness by His mercy, we should do the same to those who offend us. It is only then we can successfully pray saying, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Matthew 6:12
Prayer Nugget: Father, thank you for your mercy which I am enjoying; I ask for the grace to always extend your mercy to others in Jesus name.