The Mercy Of ADONAI

The Mercy of ADONAI
by PJ


 Many times I hear others crying out for G-d's mercy and sometimes those others include myself. We ALL have need of G-d's mercy but I am not so sure most people know what it is exactly. If people understood mercy, they'd give it to others. It's not G-d's grace, i. e.,  unmerited favor. Mercy goes much deeper.

As we begin the Jewish New Year, I cannot think of one person I have ever met who should not be crying out to G-d for His mercy. The days in which we live and the events that are transpiring in this world DEMAND G-d's mercy.
 
Mercy is the character of ADONAI by which He tempers His divine Justice. To be in mercy, signifies to be liable to punishment at the discretion of the Judge. Webster's Unabridged Dictionary defines mercy as Forbearance to inflict harm under circumstances of provocation, when one has the power to inflict it; compassionate treatment of an offender or adversary; clemency; Disposition to exercise compassion or favor; pity; compassion; willingness to spare or to help; Compassionate treatment of the unfortunate and helpless; sometimes, favor, beneficence; A blessing regarded as a manifestation of compassion or favor.

Micah/Mikhah 6:8 (AMP) says, He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love kindness and mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God? It's G-d's requirement, not PJ's.  I can tell you that most people don't walk in G-d's requirement. Most people, even those following G-d, are quick to judgment. 

Where there is no mercy, there is judgment. I don't know about you, but I really don't like judgment. Judgment for sin is a process whereby penalty is meted out and if we all got what we truly deserved, we'd be suffering. When we refuse G-d's clemency, that is precisely what happens. I know from personal experience what it is to disobey G-d and walk out of His divine protection and mercy right into judgment and penalty. 

When we push G-d out of our lives by refusing His clemency, we can suffer the consequences for a long, long time. One of the young men in my congregation came to me several years ago wanting to marry a young lady. As I began to pray about this, G-d began to show me that it was not His highest will for this young man but the young man's eyes were so blinded that the only way he might bypass what was to come was to go to his family in Belgium and be separated from this young lady in France for a short time. The young man went to Belgium and less than one week later the young lady arrived from Paris and they were married as everything G-d had spoken to this young man was just ignored. 

The young man by disobedience walked right out of G-d's mercy. All that was left was judgment. There was no mercy because he had refused mercy. Today that young man could tell you the pain of judgment. He's been through pain and torment few people could endure although G-d is graciously and I do mean GRACIOUSLY pouring out His mercy to help this young man after he made great repentance. 

G-d's mercy extends to those who fear Him. Ur/Luke 1:50 (AMP) says, And His mercy (His compassion and kindness toward the miserable and afflicted) is on those who fear Him with godly reverence, from generation to generation and age to age. Akhah/Lamentations 3:21-22 (AMP) says, But this I recall and therefore have I hope and expectation: It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not 

Do you know that without mercy we cannot have eternal life with G-d? Y'hudah/Jude (AMP) 21 says, Guard and keep yourselves in the love of God;  expect and patiently wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) -- (which will bring you) unto life eternal. Without His mercy, we would meet judgment. SELAH. Think about it. 

Let me ask you a question for you to ponder. Have you been showing mercy to others? Have you been providing clemency? Have you been kind and compassionate? Or have you been judging others and seeking to inflict your penalties upon them for their real or perceived wrongs to you?  This isn't just outside the house of G-d either.     

We cry out for mercy and G-d's clemency to save and rescue us from deserved retribution and then we go out and try to exact punishment upon others for what they do. The Word is clear that what we sow is what we reap. If you sow a whirlwind that is precisely what you shall reap.  Matit'yah ha-Levi / Matthew 18 tells the story of a man who was forgiven a great debt by the King only to go out and exact his punishment on someone who owed him.  I see this a lot and it should not be so.  It usually isn't over money and the tactics are a bit different but it's the same story. 

There are people who have tried to hurt me repeatedly. They don't understand me at all. If they did, they'd know that I learned many years ago to operate and live in G-d's mercy. I give mercy because I am in need of greater mercy than anyone I know. I deserve greater penalty for wrongs in my life than anyone I know. G-d's clemency for me is beyond what I deserve. I am keenly aware that it is His marvelous mercy "chosed" that has spared me from being consumed by the penalty I deserve. 

The letter of the law kills. It is possible to walk so much in legalism, fulfilling every jot and tittle of the law that we miss mercy altogether. The law of love brings life. It is possible to walk in love and mercy and live. 

I, like King David, can say with great joy T'hillim/Psalm 23:6 (AMP), Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place. In His Presence I dwell in the secret place of the Most High G-d which also places me in T'hillim/Psalm 91. And when I am in T'hillim/Psalm 91, I am keeping the commandment to remember Shabbat to keep it holy (full of His integrity.) When I am in Shabbat, I am ruling and reigning with Him in heavenly places. Now THAT is MERCY! 

If you are in need of G-d's mercy today, it's only a prayer away. His mercies and loving kindnesses are new every morning according to the Word. As we enter this new year, I pray that you, too will declare T'hillim/Psalm 17:7 (AMP) Show Your marvelous loving-kindness, O You Who save by Your right hand those who trust and take refuge in You from those who rise up against them. He is faithful and quick to perform His Word for those that believe. 

Have a blessed, prosperous, healthy, happy year full of G-d's mercy, grace and love! 

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
“Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified Bible."