THE TRIUMPH OF MERCY
Sunday 13th November 2022 -First Service
Isaiah 33:22 (For the LORD [is] our Judge, The LORD [is] our Lawgiver, The LORD [is] our King; He will save us);
James 2:13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
The one who judges is the one who grants mercy. Mercy doesn't negate the justice of God but when it is brought into play, it triumphs over judgment.
There is a wrong mindset in the church that mercy is needed by only sinners yet a believer needs more mercy than a sinner because the demand of God on a believer is higher to that of a non-believer.
Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God [is] living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things [are] naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we [must give] account.
[14] Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast [our] confession.
God requires us to take our eyes off 'us' and look at Jesus. Even when we are naked in His presence, our confession must remain in synch with what the blood of Jesus did for us at the cross.
Wherever you fail in life, Jesus passed. He was tested in every corner but He overcame and this means that He can furnish you with the same strength He used to overcome (Hebrews 4:15).
Lamentations 3:21-22 This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. [Through] the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.
No matter what you are going through, you will not be consumed because God's compassions never fail.
Ephesians 2:4 AMPC But God--so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us,
[5] Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation).
God's love is so intense and He expresses it by furnishing us with His mercy. There is so much He wants us to walk into but it can never happen unless we get the revelation of His mercy.
Why do we need mercy?
Psalms 33:10,16-17 The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nought; He makes the thoughts and plans of the peoples of no effect. No king is saved by the great size and power of his army; a mighty man is not delivered by [his] much strength....
God doesn't stop us from having the army (it may be money, a job, connections, etc.), but unless His hand approves it, it can not benefit us.
You may have wealth, academic status, etc. but never place your confidence in those things; let your confidence be in Jesus. That is the heart posture that will secure you the mercies of God (Psalms 33:18, Ecclesiastes 9:11 NLT).
Read Luke 18
The Pharisee had much confidence in himself which disqualified him from receiving the mercies of God unlike the Tax collector who cried out for God's mercy.
We should not stop practicing righteousness but scripture shows us not to put confidence in ourselves but in what Jesus did and God's mercies because that is what furnishes us with the ability to do. (Psalms 147:10-11)
God's mercy is the only game changer to the things the world is trying to run after these days. (Psalms 39:5).
You need the mercy of God because you can not work hard, pray, or fast enough. Learn to call on the mercies of God every morning to carry you in every area of your life, and you will see how things change.
Further study
Ecclesiastes 9:11 NLT Mercy positions you in the right place at the right time.
Romans 6:19 NIV, 8:26
