“Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.”

Psalm 25:6
Mercy is another attribute of God, one which we can share with Him, even despite our sinfulness. But how often we are reluctant to show mercy! I see this while I’m driving around San Diego County where there is lot of traffic. My wife will testify that I often am offended by the actions of other drivers. However, when I fail in my own standards, I quickly come up with a good explanation for it. Does that sound familiar to you in the situations of your own life? Or is showing complete mercy your default setting?
As with grace, mercy is God relating to sinful people in His goodness and love. It’s His restraint of the justice we deserve for our sin. The Luke 18 passage for today spotlights how easy it is for us to think we’re pretty good folks. We figure everyone else needs to be just a little more like us. But Jesus didn’t come to seek and save “pretty good folks.” He came for those who cry out, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner” (v. 13).
His merciful hand extends far, even to self-righteous people like me!



Scripture Focus

Luke 18:9-14

Insight

How does mercy highlight God’s love and goodness to sinners differently (though not separately from) grace?

Bible In A Year

  • 2 Samuel 7-8
  • Psalm 139
  • Philippians 3-4

RENEW Your Anchor Subscription Today