THE UNDESERVED MERCY OF GOD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY JULY 11, 2024.

SUBJECT: THE UNDESERVED MERCY OF GOD!

Memory verse: "But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth." (Psalms 86 vs 15.)

READ: Zechariah 3 vs 1 - 4:

3:1: Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him.

3:2: And the LORD said to Satan, The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! is this not a brand plucked from the fire?”

3:3: Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel.

3:4: Then he answered and spoke to those who stood before him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him He said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.”

INTIMATION:

Mercy is defined simply as “not giving a person what he or she deserves in punishment.” It’s an outward expression of pity; it assumes need on the part of him who receives it, and resources adequate to meet the need on the part of him who shows it. It’s used of God, who is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2 vs 4). This is exactly what God does for us (sinful humanity). Our disobedience demands judgement! But God shows mercy toward us by providing an escape from sin’s penalty through Jesus Christ, who alone saves us from sin. When we pray for forgiveness, we are asking for what we do not deserve. Yet when we take this step and trust in Christ’s saving work on our behalf, we can experience God’s forgiveness.

God must punish sin, but He is also merciful to sinners. This is because God does not take pleasure in destroying the wicked, but He must punish sin. Therefore, He is both just and merciful. God, in His mercy, can hold us back from committing sin in ways we can’t even detect. We have no way of knowing—we just know He can. God just works as often in ways we can’t see as in ways we can.

God’s mercy is unbelievable. It goes beyond what we can imagine. Even if we deliberately walk away from Him and ruin our lives, God would still take us back. God would give us inward spiritual renewal. God wants to forgive us and bring us back to Himself, too. Some people will not learn this until their world has crashed in around them. Then the sorrow and pain seem to open their eyes to what God has been saying all along. 

Countless times throughout the Bible we see God showing His love and patience toward men and women in order to save them. Although He realizes that their hearts are evil, He continues to try to reach them. When we sin or fall away from God, we surely deserve to be destroyed by His judgement. But God has promised never again to destroy everything on earth until the judgement day when Christ returns to destroy evil forever. Now every change of season is a reminder of His promise.

In the passage we read today, Satan accused (“opposed”) Joshua, who here represents the nation of Israel. The accusations were accurate—Joshua stood in filthy garments (sins). Yes God revealed His mercy, stating that He chose to save His people in spite of their sins. Satan is always accusing people of their sins before God (Job 1 vs 6). But He greatly misunderstands the breadth of God’s mercy and forgiveness toward those who believe in Him. Satan the accuser will ultimately be destroyed (Revelation 12 vs 10), while everyone who is a believer will be saved (John 3 vs 16).

Zechariah’s vision graphically portrays how we receive God’s mercy. We do nothing ourselves to deserve it. God, in His mercy and loving kindness removes our filthy garments (sins), then provides us with fine, new clothes (the righteousness and holiness of God—Second Corinthians 5 vs 21; Ephesians 4 vs 24; Revelation 19 vs 8). All we need to do is repent and ask God to forgive us. When Satan tries to make you feel dirty and unworthy, remember that the clean clothes of Christ’s righteousness make you worthy to draw near to God. 

God could have left us spiritually dead, in rebellion against Him and in bondage to our sins. But He didn’t. He didn’t save us because of, but rather in spite of, what He saw in us. Are you separated from God by sin? No matter how far you have wandered, God promises a fresh beginning if only you will turn to Him. 

How fortunate we are that God gives us mercy and grace rather than only justice. The next time you ask God for fair treatment, pause to think what would have happened if God gave you what you really deserve. Plead instead for His mercy.

Prayer: Abba Father, You are so loving, full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy. You have always showed us love and patience and will not give us the judgement we deserve for our sinfulness. Nothing I do can adequately compensate for Your lovingkindness. Endue me with the spirit of raw obedience to You in every area of my life, that I will obey and cherish You forever, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!