The Abundant Mercy of God “The quality of mercy is not strain’d,” – William Shakespeare

Mercy and Grace are Different Justice – Getting what we deserve Mercy – NOT getting what we deserve Grace – Getting what we DON’T deserve GRACE involves a FREE gift. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:8-10 God’s grace was given without consideration for our character at the time. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

This loving mercy didn’t start with us, it started with God! 1 John 4:10  In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  This loving mercy didn’t start with us, it started with God!

Mercy – God’s favor that holds back what we really deserve Psalm 103:2-4  Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, 3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

Mercy – God’s favor that holds back what we really deserve Psalm 69:13-15 But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. 14 Deliver me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters. 15 Let not the flood sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up, or the pit close its mouth over me. Do we approach God with the same boldness David did?

Mercy – God’s favor that holds back what we really deserve I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. Isaiah 43:22-24 “Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob; but you have been weary of me, O Israel! 23 You have not brought me your sheep for burnt offerings, or honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with offerings, or wearied you with frankincense. 24 You have not bought me sweet cane with money, or satisfied me with the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins; you have wearied me with your iniquities. Yet, God offers them mercy, NOT justice

David is CONFIDENT in asking for mercy The Quality of Mercy is not Strain’d, it’s abundant Psalm 86 - a time of trouble for David Psalm 86:14 O God, arrogant men have risen up against me, And a band of violent men have sought my life, And they have not set You before them. Psalm 86:15-16 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. 16 Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant. David is CONFIDENT in asking for mercy

Psalm 86:5-7 5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. 6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. 7 In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me. God’s love is abundant God had answered him before

Psalm 103:10-12 Our God is MERCIFUL 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

What about Under the New Covenant? Our God is MERCIFUL Hebrews 4:14-16 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

What about Under the New Covenant? Our God is MERCIFUL Ephesians 2:4-5 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,  5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 

How to Receive Mercy The humble Those who mourn over sin Matthew 5:3-6 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. The humble Those who mourn over sin Those that hunger/thirst after righteousness

Balaam wanted to die the death of the upright, Numbers 23:10 10 Who can count the dust of Jacob or number the fourth part  of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright, and let my end be like his!” Balaam wanted to die the death of the upright, But he didn’t want to live that way

God has abundant mercy, on HIS terms Ephesians 2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, God has abundant mercy, on HIS terms A mighty blessing, gentle and abundant as the rain Have you reached out for these drops of blessing?