Mercy Is Certain
Back to Comfort for Christians
Mercy Is Certain
"Is not Israel still my son, my darling child? says the Lord. I often have to punish him — but I still love him. That is why I long for him and surely will have mercy on him!" Jeremiah 31:20
This is God's response to a repentant backslider. His past conduct has been base, and he has often greatly provoked the Lord. But he saw his folly, he felt his sin, and he bemoaned his state.
The Lord looked upon him, listened to him, and felt His heart drawn toward him. And now, though Satan may accuse him, his own heart condemn him, and his past iniquities testify against him — the Lord's mind is made up, and He speaks in the strongest, tenderest language: "I still love him! That is why I long for him and surely will have mercy on him!"
Oh, what encouragement is here held out to us! What an inclination there is in the Most High God to have mercy! What vile sins He will pardon! What monstrous sinners He will receive!
If, therefore, we are cast down on account of our past sinfulness — let us take encouragement and cry to the Lord for mercy. Let us confess all to the Lord, let us plead with the Lord in sincere repentance; and when we do so, He will surely have mercy upon us.
However shameful our conduct may have been, however corrupt and depraved our hearts may be — there is hope for us! For if we were the vilest of mankind — He speaks to us when He says, "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon!" Isaiah 55:7
O precious assurance — let us not doubt it! O sweet invitation — let us avail ourselves of it! This is what God wishes us to do. He desires to manifest His love afresh — to enfold us in the arms of His mercy, and feast us with the provisions of His grace. Let us, then, approach Him and plead His gracious invitation.
O merciful Father! I am eternally grateful to You for Your great mercy to me in pardoning my great transgressions. Help me to remain in Your forgiving arms and in Your loving care as long as I live.
"Where is another God like you — who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of His special people? You will not stay angry with Your people forever, because You delight in showing unfailing love!" Micah 7:18