Mercy: What We Ought To Desire From God!

Mercy has been described in different dimensions in the bible. In some extract, “Mercy” can be referred to as “Love”.

Mercy is one quintessential distinction between human beings and God. From the onset of the bible stories, God showed His mercy.

This is why even though Adam and Eve were judged to have sinned based on the Justice of God, mercy was immediately activated to cushion the effect of the judgement. God clothed them; Genesis 3:21

In fact, some theologians explain that, banishing Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden was strategic to ensure that they do not get to the “Tree of Life” and hence live forever in Sin. It was an act of the mercy of God.

Similarly, Cain experienced God’s justice but received mercy to live and be protected from any assailant. Genesis 4:15. God is slow to anger and abounding in love/mercy.

The popular saying that; “To err is human, to forgive is divine.” further buttresses the point that forgiveness, compassion or mercy is the unique characteristic of God. Yes, It is a divine nature that God also desires of us to imbibe.

First, we must understand that God is merciful, hence we must not deny ourselves the opportunity to embrace the grace of mercy that God gives. We have been invited to the throne of mercy to enjoy the graces and blessings of God. Nothing should hold us back

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you”. Psalm 89:14 (in some translation, it is translated as “Mercy and truth shall go before thy face.”

Second, God has brought us into His fold and would desire us to equally show compassion and mercy unto others. Jesus expressly commands, “You Must Love One Another As I Have Loved You” John 13:34

In effect, we must also be examples of the mercy, compassion, peace, forgiveness that Christ births in our relationship as we relate with others.

Back to the topic! What we ought to desire from God. Paul’s letter to the Romans 3:23 clearly states that “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” While 1st John 1:8-9 reaffirms this by expressing that he who says he has no sin is a liar.

If, then, we say that we have fellowship with him, yet at the same time live in the darkness, we are lying both in our words and in our actions. But if we live in the light—just as he is in the light—then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from every sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us. But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make a liar out of God, and his word is not in us.

1 John 1:6-10

Apostles Paul and John tell us that we ought to seek God’s mercy because we are not perfect. We make mistakes now and again. We may even think we are perfect. But mercy is the ultimate prayer point. “Jesus son of David, have mercy on me!” We ought to continually seek God’s mercy. Jesus was continually moved by compassion during his ministry. It was not because the people deserved it or even requested for some of the miracles he performed. But moved by mercy he continually works wonders in our lives.

It was mercy that received the prodigal son back to his father, not the eloquence or prayer points of the son. Similarly, when you come before God, make mercy go before you.

The cry for mercy is a cry of worship and humility. Seeking mercy is acknowledging the greatness of God, the omnipotence of God, the love of God and the power of God to manifest his works and glory in your life. A cry for mercy is a cry of submission to a greater authority and the desire for that authority to favour you.

In conclusion, desiring mercy from God should be a daily cry. It should be pivotal to our relationship with God. Mercy is what we ought to desire from God. Especially when we know not what to pray for. Remember Peter, while he was trying to activate his faith in Jesus. He asked to walk on the water but began to sink after a while. It was his cry for mercy that saved him. We ought to ask God to help us because he don’t know how to go about life.

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