THE
BOOK OF GOD'S PROMISES
Understanding God's Mercy
By
J. Steven Lang
CBN.com
-- "Don't get mad -- get even." This seems to be the usual way people
view the world nowadays. We should be thankful that God takes a different view
of things. Although the Bible makes it clear that God is the Great Judge who hates
all evil-doing, he is also the Merciful One, who forgives and accepts people who
turn to him. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love
endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34 Let the people turn from their wicked
deeds. Let them banish from their minds the very thought of doing wrong! Let them
turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he
will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:7 "As surely as I live, says the Sovereign
LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn
from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people
of Israel! Why should you die?" Ezekiel 33:11 God is so rich in mercy, and
he loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, he
gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's special
favor that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ,
and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms -- all because we are one with
Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-6 Where is another God like you, who pardons
the sins of the survivors among his people? You cannot stay angry with your people
forever because you delight in showing mercy. Once again you will have compassion
on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths
of the ocean! You will show us your faithfulness and unfailing love as you promised
with an oath to our ancestors Abraham and Jacob long ago. Micah 7:18-19 "If
a shepherd has one hundred sheep, and one wanders away and is lost, what will
he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others and go out into the hills to search
for the lost one? And if he finds it, he will surely rejoice over it more than
over the ninety-nine that didn't wander away! In the same way, it is not my heavenly
Father's will that even one of these little ones should perish." Matthew 18:12-14
"Now turn from your sins and turn to God, so you can be cleansed of your sins.
Then wonderful times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and
he will send Jesus your Messiah to you again." Acts 3:19-20 He saved us,
not because of the good things we did, but because of his mercy. He washed away
our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5 Let us
come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy,
and we will find grace to help us when we need it. Hebrew 4:16 See also
Confessing Sin, Guilt, Repentance
The Book of God's Promises -- Copyright, 1999 by J.
Stephen Lang. All rights reserved, used with permission.
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