GOD’S MERCIES

Who can have compassion on the ignorant and on them that are out of the way? For that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. (Hebrews 5:2)

 

PRE-AMBLE by Robert

Do we fully comprehend the depth of God’s mercies? When the Holy Spirit first presented this information, I did not realize the extent and how on a moment to moment basis our lives are affected by His mercies. I recognized without God’s compassion and patience (Mercies) the world we walk in could not exist. To fully understand this I went to “Merriam Webster’s Dictionary,” and found the following definitions which shed a deeper understanding of how I will now interpret God’s mercies. Once I started the research into the first word it became clear there would be further definitions which support each other, to check out and absorb, the first being  “Mercy”: kind or forgiving treatment of someone who could be treated harshly: kindness or help given to people who are in a very bad or desperate situation. Which lead me to define “Mercies”: compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one’s power; also lenient or compassionate treatment. This, in turn, leads to defining forbearance: The quality of someone who is patient and able to deal with a difficult person or situation without becoming angry. We are then lead to determine tolerance: Willingness to accept feeling, habits, or beliefs that are different from your own. 

This article will bring life to all the situations where God our Father in heaven and Yeshua His Son who sits on the right-hand side of the throne. Will exercise all the definitions described recognizing and accepting they (definitions) are all rolled into one phrase “God’s Mercies” and how that phrase applies to those in the world believer and nonbeliever. 

OPENING PRAYER by Robert 

Father in heaven we bow before your throne Lord in humility desiring to learn of your mercies. Raising hands in an exaltation of your Glory in those mercies. Fill us with discernment Lord so we might have the understanding of your mercies and the words to share with those ignorant of your mercies so they might become aware of them, Father. This we pray in your name Yeshua Amen and Amen.

OPENING STATEMENT by Robert

The mercies of God to sinners are made known in a manner well suited to impress all who receive them, with his majesty and holiness. The people worshipped and praised God. When he manifests himself as a consuming Fire to sinners, his people can rejoice in him as their Light. No, they had reason to say, that God was right in this. It is of the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, but the sacrifice in our stead, for which we should be very thankful. And whoever beholds with true faith, the Saviour agonizing and dying for man’s sin, will, by that view, find his godly sorrow enlarged, his hatred of sin increased, his soul made more watchful, and his life more holy. In the days of his flesh, Christ made himself subject to death: he hungered: he was a tempted, suffering, dying Yeshua. Christ set an example, not only to pray but to be fervent in prayer. How many dry prayers, how few wetted with tears, do we offer up to God! He was strengthened to support the immense weight of suffering laid upon him. There is no real deliverance from death but to be carried through it Psalm 23:4 “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me“. He was raised and exalted, and to him was given the power of saving all sinners to the uttermost, who come unto God through him. Yeshua left us an example that we should learn humble obedience to the will of God, by all our afflictions. We need distress, to teach us a submission. His compliance in our nature encourages our attempts to obey, and for us to expect support and comfort under all the temptations and sufferings to which we are exposed. Being made perfect for this great work, he has become the Author of eternal salvation to all that obey him. But are we of that number? Matthew Henry (1662 -1774) relates the depth of Gods Mercies. The word will direct and quicken prayer, for by it the Spirit helps our infirmities in prayer. The careful study of God’s word will more and more discover to us our own sinfulness and the plenteousness of his salvation; thus it calls us to mourn for sin and to rejoice in him. Every discovery of the truth of God should render us more unwearied in attendance on his sacred word, and on his worship. 

Those who chiefly care to make it cheap and easy to themselves, know not what religion is, and who are best pleased with which costs them least pains or money. For what have we our substance, but to honor God with it; and how can it be better bestowed? Yeshua is our Altar, our Sacrifice; in him alone we may expect to escape his wrath and to find favor with God. Death is destroying, in so many forms, and so suddenly, that it is madness not to expect and prepare for the close of life.

Matthew Henry (1662 – 1774) in his commentary relates how to connect with God’s Mercies. “If we confess our sins, we may pray in faith that God would forgive them, and take away, by pardoning mercy, that sin which we cast away by sincere repentance. What we make the matter of our pride, it is just in God to take from us, or make bitter to us, and make it our punishment. This must be such a punishment as the people have a large share in, for though it was David’s sin that opened the sluice, the sins of the people all contributed to the flood. In this difficulty, David chose a judgment which came immediately from God, whose mercies he knew to be very significant, rather than from men, who would have triumphed in the miseries of Israel and have been thereby hardened in their idolatry. He chose the pestilence; he and his family would be as much exposed to it as the poorest Israelite; and he would continue for a shorter time under the Divine rebuke, however severe it was. The rapid destruction by the pestilence shows how easily God can bring down the proudest sinners, and how much we owe daily to the Divine patience. 

The Apostle Paul after proving various doctrines which are practically applied, entreated the Romans, as his brethren in Yeshua, by the mercies of God, to present their bodies as a living sacrifice to Him. This is a powerful appeal. We receive from the Lord every day the fruits of his mercy. Let us render ourselves; all we are, all we have, all we can do: and after all, what return is it for such very rich receivings? It is acceptable to God: a  reasonable service, which we are able and ready to give a reason for, and which we understand. Conversion and sanctification are the renewings of the mind; a change, not of the substance, but of the qualities of the soul. The progress of sanctification, dying to sin more and more, and living to righteousness more and more, is the carrying on this renewing work until it is perfected in glory. The great enemy to this renewal is conformity to this world. Take heed of forming plans for happiness, as though it lay in the things of this world, which soon pass away. Do not fall in with the customs of those who walk in the lusts of the flesh, and mind earthly things. The work of the Holy Ghost first begins in the understanding and is carried on to the will, affections, and conversation, till there is a change of the whole man into the likeness of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness. Thus, to be godly is to give up ourselves to God.

The professed love of Believers to each other should be sincere, free from deceit, and unmeaning and deceitful compliments. Depending on Divine grace, they must detest and dread all evil, and love and delight in whatever is kind and useful. We must not only do that which is good, but we must cleave to it. All our duty towards one another is summed up in one word, love. This denotes the love of parents to their children; which is more tender and natural than any other; unforced, unconstrained. And love to God and man, with zeal for the gospel, will make the wise Believer diligent in all his worldly business, and in gaining superior skill.

CLOSING PRAYER by Robert

“Oh,” Father in heaven as we kneel before thy throne hear our sincere prayers of deep gratitude for all the mercies you are bestowing on our lives daily. Hear our heartfelt appreciation for your patience and in that patience blessing us with your grace and Salvation. As well affording us the opportunity to right our lives and develop a deep relationship with your Son Yeshua learning through the Holy Spirit how to draw closer to Him and you Father. We acknowledge Lord our continued work is required for our relationship to deepen and bring forward greater discernment and understanding of your heavenly blessings being offered through your continued Mercies. Thank you, Father, for all your tender mercies and Deep Love and compassion you show for us and the world. This we pray in Yeshua’s name Amen and Amen.

CLOSING COMMENTS by Robert

Matthew Henry (1662 -1774) in the following commentary sums it up best. “God is honored by our hope and trust in him, especially when we rejoice in that hope. He is served, not only by working for him but by sitting still quietly, when he calls us to suffer. Patience for God’s sake is true piety. Those that rejoice in hope are likely to be patient in tribulation. We should not be cold in the duty of prayer, nor soon weary of it. Not only must there be kindness to friends and brethren, but Believers must not harbor anger against enemies. It is but mock love, which rests in words of kindness, while our brethren need real supplies, and it is in our power to furnish them. Be ready to entertain those who do good: as there is occasion, we must welcome strangers. Bless, and curse not. It means thorough good will; not, bless them when at prayer, and curse them at other times; but bless them always, and curse not at all. True Believer love will make us take part in the sorrows and joys of each other. Labour as much as you can to agree in the same spiritual truths, and when you come short of that, yet agree in affection. Look upon worldly pomp and dignity with holy contempt. Do not mind it; be not in love with it. Be reconciled to the place God in his providence puts you in, whatever it be. Nothing is below us, but sin. We shall never find in our hearts to condescend to others, while we indulge conceit of ourselves; therefore that must be mortified.“

Remember these messages are warnings from our Father to a dedicated servant as His Watchman bringing forward His call to hear and see as the Trumpet is sounded for all to know danger and evil are in our presence to do harm. May our Lord bless all with discernment to recognize the wiles of the enemy as he presents his subtle temptations before us as fruit we shouldn’t partake. 

1Chronicles 29:3 Moreover because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house. 

Blessings be with you all. Go in peace and our Fathers name.

 

 

 

Robert