The Truth In Print, Volume 12 Issue 2, March 2006
A Publication of the Valley church of Christ, 
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-539-7089)

The Paths Of Mercy

 

By Bob Lovelace

 

   Bible study is good for us and mercy is above all things an indication that God does delight in us. First, we need to understand what it is that God delights in.  He delights in mercy but mercy is not separated from His justice and righteousness. Coincident with this, and Second in our study, we must understand that God delights in us when we delight in His lovingkindess. (To be a recipient of His favor one must delight in the things He delights in Himself.) Third, we will see that God’s mercy is for those who fear Him. There is a “pathway” for those who fear God, repent of sins committed, and delight in the things He delights in; that pathway is referred to as the “steps of the Lord.” Coincident with all of these, and Fourth in our study, we learn that it is in the practice of mercy, justice and righteousness that we receive back from the Lord. Through our practicing mercy, Fifth and in conclusion, mercy is an expectation, i.e. we expect to receive His blessings. Why not open your Bible and read each verse from the Bible and make this a “study”?

   All of this is in view of an eternal reward: “To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: [8] But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, [9] Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; [10] But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile” (Rom. 2:7-10; Also 2 Tim. 4:7-10).

 

God Delights In Lovingkindness, Justice and Righteousness.

 

   Concerned reader lovingkindness is not “all” God delights in! “Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: [24] But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord” (Jer. 9:23-24). God exercises judgment (justice) and righteousness. Righteous is what is right for both myself and others. He is impartial in reward and punishment (Ezk. 33:12.) Hear this! God’s mercy is not emotionalism! God is not controlled by man’s pure emotional displays and disorders! He is not the author of confusion (I Cor. 14:33).

 

The Necessity Of Our Glorying In The Things He Delights In.

 

   Throughout the Bible the boastful (the materialistic and unrepentant) will not stand in God’s sight (Read Ps. 5:5; Ja. 4:7-17). Should they have ever entered into fellowship with Him, they do not “stay” in fellowship with Him! These “glory in” or boast of their heart’s desire and bless the covetous, who are an abomination to the Lord (Cf. Ps. 10:3). The humble are the ones who glory in God’s lovingkindness, justice and righteousness, knowing that God removes those from His presence who glory is in material things (Cf. Ps. 34:2). To glory in what God glories in means appreciating that God has provided a place for us to assemble in His presence (Cf. Ps. 22:22). Today, Christians under the New Covenant assemble together as a church (Cf. Heb. 10:25, I Cor. 11:20, 14:23, 26.). Thus our “standing” before Him in the assembly is meaningful, and not taken lightly.  Glorying in these we know that not a one of those who trust in riches, and boast in their wealth, can give God what it takes to save their soul when it comes time to die (Cf. Matt. 16:26; Lk. 12:15-21; also Ps. 49:6-13 where their children follow them). Read what David said about Doeg — Ps. 52:1-9. Also, the fool is right in his own eyes even when he has nothing material to boast about! (Proverbs 12:15). 

 

God Delights In Us When We Delight In His Lovingkindness.

 

   Friend, God delights in seeing these done as well as in doing them Himself. Hear the Psalmist, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. [24] Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand” (Ps. 37:23-24). Thus God provides room for repentance and forgiveness, lest He cast us off forever (Cf. Ezk. 18:28; Ps. 119:59; Lk. 15:17-18). These “steps” are the paths of the Lord: “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies” (Ps. 25:10). Again, “Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face” (Ps. 89:14). 

 

This Is for Those Who Fear Him.

 

    David declared, “But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; [18] To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them” (Ps. 103:17-18). Peter said, “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear” (I Pet. 1:17). Hear Paul, “Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more” (I Th. 4:1). Again, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Cor. 7:1).

 

It’s In the Practice That We Receive Back From God!

 

   David presented how God deals with  man in stating, “With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright; [26] With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward. [27] For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks” (Ps. 18:25-27). Question: Did you comprehend that? If you desire His kindness then practice His kindness yourself! And the same goes for being “blameless” and “pure.” Make no mistake— with the crooked God shows himself shrewd! He abases haughty eyes! God will contend against them and defeat them in ways they never saw coming!

 

A Checklist Of Applications On God’s Kindness:

 

1. It is Observed. David’s observation was, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. [26] He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed” (Psalm 37:25-26).

 

2. There is Dignity. Hear Solomon, “He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour” (Proverbs 21:21). Honor here is esteem or dignity itself. Compare this: “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life” (Pr. 22:4).

 

3. One is rich spiritually or “blessed”.  Jesus said, Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” (Matt. 5:7).

 

4. Both God and men will understand your needs.

    Hear Solomon, Let not kindness and truth forsake thee: Bind them about thy neck; Write them upon the tablet of thy heart: So shalt thou find favor and good understanding In the sight of God and man” (Pr. 3:3-4). David said, “O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him” (Ps. 34:9).

 

5. God’s Protection.  David asked for himself with these words: “He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him” (Ps. 61:7). The word “preserve” means “to guard or keep.” He said elsewhere, “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them” (Ps. 34:7).

 

6. Iniquity is purged by both mercy and truth.

    In explaining how to keep away from evil Solomon said, “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil” (Pr. 16:6).

It is important that we see “truth” connected with mercy.  Concerned reader, those who show mercy expecting to be redeemed by God but do not practice truth have no fear of the God!

 

7. Intimate counsel. Again David said, The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant” (Ps. 25:14). The word “secret” here means “council, consultation, fellowship.”

 

8. The expectation that I will see it!

 

Psalm 33:18-22

    Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; [19] To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. [20] Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield. [21] For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. [22] Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

  

   Everything God tells me about hoping and trusting in Him is to be held with the “expectation” that I will receive it from Him! Are YOU thinking that way? Question: Where is the evidence today that God delights in me?

 

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