Mercy

Jeremiah 14

In churches today and among believers, we speak much about God’s love and His grace. And rightly so because scripture is replete with examples and teachings of His love and grace. The theme of mercy, however, is spoken of less often, maybe a scant mention in an occasional sermon. Yet mercy is a consistent theme throughout both the Old and New Testament. Two of the more familiar verses are shown below.

The Lord’s acts of mercy indeed do not end, For His compassions do not fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. (NET) Lam 3:22

Therefore let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need. (NET) Heb 4:16

Note in Lamentations, God’s mercy do not end, an implication that our need for mercy does not end. Hebrews 4 confirms that we do need mercy and this mercy comes from the throne of God. The need for mercy will not cease on this side of heaven.

So why is the theme of mercy spoken of so little today? What is mercy? There are several elements to mercy. First, it requires an acknowledgment of wrongdoing, failure, or sin. Second, there is an acknowledgment of one’s inability to rectify the resulting and looming consequences of my failure, sin, or wrongdoing. Third, there’s a dependence or reliance on a third party to rectify the situation or expunge the consequences on our behalf, i.e. we cast ourself at their mercy.

If the first element is absent, then we would not ask for mercy; we would ask for justice. If the second element is missing, then we fix it ourselves. If there is no third element, then we accept and suffer the consequences of our failure. When all three elements are present, we ask for mercy. Mercy is a theme throughout scripture because the Bible is a story of a glorious God reaching out and restoring sinful mankind. The merciful Benefactor is God reaching out to a fallen and sinful mankind who fails consistently to meet His Holy standard. Mercy is necessary because as fallen man, even in his redeemed state, we need Him to extricate us from the quagmires in which we often find ourselves. We cannot save ourselves from our sin (justification) nor can we save ourselves from our sins (sanctification). Without God’s mercy, life will be miserable.

Yet we avoid teaching mercy because it involves an admission that we are sinful. Often we shake our heads when we see the news on television of some horrific crime. “How can anyone do something like that?” “I just don’t understand how anyone can do that?” Given the perfect storm, i.e. the right timing with the right circumstances, any of us can commit any crime, particularly if we are not walking with the Lord. The apostle Paul described the inner conflict in man as he writes in Romans 7.

For I don’t understand what I am doing. For I do not do what I want—instead, I do what I hate. But if I do what I don’t want, I agree that the law is good.But now it is no longer me doing it, but sin that lives in me. For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For I want to do the good, but I cannot do it.For I do not do the good I want, but I do the very evil I do not want! Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer me doing it but sin that lives in me. (NET)

Another reason for the lack of teaching (on mercy) is we are an independent bunch. As the toddler often utters, “I do myself,” we adults have the same attitude. Even as we age, we don’t want to depend on our children to take care of us. The quintessential American is the self-made man/woman with the “can do” spirit whom lifts himself/herself up by their own bootstrap. From the cradle to the grave, we are fiercely independent. No one likes to be dependent on someone else; to admit we cannot handle it. No wonder asking for help is so difficult. Asking for help is akin to an admission of failure and admission of weakness. It subverts the image of strength and independence that we project. To ask for mercy requires a humbling of oneself, to be transparent of what is on the inside. We find in palatable to ask for mercy once, i.e. asking God to save us from the eternal consequence of our rebellion. However, to consistently ask for God’s mercy in our daily failings is far too great an affront to our Adamic ego.

As the exile looms, Judah appeals to God’s mercy. In verse 14:7, Jeremiah writes, “Although our iniquities testify against us, act, O Lord, for your name’s sake; our apostasies indeed are many, and we have sinned against you.” Judah did not ask for justice because she did not deny her sins are many. Judah has hit rock bottom and her pride and self-glory has been shattered. She was no longer under the delusion that she can fix things herself. Therefore, her appeal to God to save her was based on His character, not based on her merits. She appealed to His mercy, to His zeal for His own glory. Judah casted herself at the feet of God, and trusted in His character.

Appeals to our merit sail on the ship of pride whereas appeals to God’s character sail on the humility of our spirit. Judah finally repented and confessed her sin, much like David after his sin of adultery. David wrote in Psalm 51, “A humble and contrite heart, O God, Thou will not despise.” Before the holy eyes of God, we stand naked. There is no pretense, no merit, and no excuses. We will fail, fail often, and fail miserably. But, we can plead for His mercy and grace, which He gladly offers as we humbly repent.