The Mercy and Compassion of God

As a sequel to my last article, “The Kingdom of God and the Church”, I write on the mercy and compassion of God, our Father in heaven.

I am reminded of this as I read Psalm 51. Here is a man whom God called as one after His own heart. David was chosen and called by God. He experienced the salvation and victory that was brought about by the power of God. He lived in the protection of God; was sustained by the provision of God; was elevated as king by the sovereign hand of God; was granted victory from his enemies by the strength of God; all these among so many other blessings that he tasted of and experienced.

When he fell into the sin of adultery, God sent the prophet Nathan to correct him. David heard the word of God; was convicted of his sin and sought God’s face eagerly in repentance.

God on His part, as He always does, showed His immense willingness to forgive and restore. In His unfailing love, He had mercy on David (v. 1). According to His great compassion, He blotted out his transgression (v. 1). He washed away all David’s iniquity and cleansed him from his sin (v. 2). He washed him whiter that snow (v. 7) and restored to his crushed and smitten being joy and gladness (v. 8).

God, the merciful One, created in David a pure heart once again (v. 10). God renewed within him a steadfast and committed spirit (v. 10). In His holiness, He lavished mercy on David making him righteous with the righteousness of Jesus instead of casting the man away from His presence (v. 11). He went on; permitting David to enjoy the sweet fellowship and companionship of the Holy Spirit that the king enjoyed of old – a fellowship that had put in his tongue so many psalms like the pen of a skillful writer (Read 2Cor. 13:14[b]). God did not stop there. The everlasting Father who had purposed a marvelous plan for David long before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4), restored unto him the joy that comes with the saving grace of God (v. 12) and granted to him a willing, longing, zealous spirit that would not peter out after a time but one that would be sustained (v. 12).

As a living testimony of God’s infinite compassion and tender mercy David went on to teach transgressors God’s ways that they may turn their hearts to God (v. 13). As one who experienced God’s saving grace, his tongue spoke of God’s righteousness (v. 13). The Lord opened David’s lips that his mouth could declare His praise (v. 15). David was clear what it was that pleased God. He knew the thing that God desired. “You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings,” he said to His Saviour but went on to declare, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.” (Psa. 51:16, 17) He knew that a broken and a contrite heart God would not despise (v. 17). Asaph had spoken in a similar vein in the previous psalm when he wrote of what God desired. “Sacrifice thank offerings to God,” said the psalmist. “Fulfill your vows to the Most High.” (Psa. 50:14). Paraphrased to our contemporary context it could read: “Rejoice in the Lord with a grateful heart always. Be faithful to the commitment you made to God when He first called you into His Covenant.” Asaph went on to prophesy, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honour Me.” (Psa. 50:15)

It is interesting to read how David concludes his psalm of repentance. Instead of focusing on himself or on the mercy he received from God, he switched attention to Zion. “In your good pleasure make Zion prosper,” cried the psalmist. “Build up the walls of Jerusalem.” (Psa. 51:18)

In Thy good pleasure Lord, cause Thy Church, the body of Christ to prosper. Build a wall of protection around her; for Thou art great and most worthy of praise in this city (Psa. 48:1). Because of Thee O Lord, she is beautiful in loftiness, the joy of the whole earth (v. 2). The righteousness and characteristics of Thy kingdom make her like the utmost heights of Zaphon – the city of the great King (v. 2). Thou art in this Church O Lord and Thou dost show Thyself to be her fortress (v. 3). Within Thy temple O God, we meditate on Thy unfailing love (Psa. 48:9). Like Thy name O God, may Thy praises reach the ends of the earth (v. 10). May Thy Church reveal how Thy right hand is filled with righteousness (v. 10). Let Mount Zion rejoice because of Thy judgments (v. 11). Let all who walk about Zion or examine her ways say, “God is their God for ever and ever.” – For Thou wilt be her guide even to the end (Psa. 48:13, 14).

Hearken to the mercy of the Lord O redeemed children of God. Consider His goodness in our lives. For though we were once not His people; for though we were once cut off and far away from Him (Eph. 2:12), by the precious blood of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord we have been reconciled to Him and restored to His eternal purpose (Eph. 2:13). The great sacrifice of Jesus has made us white as snow. His death and resurrection has made us free from sin, righteous by faith and a new creation to live no longer for ourselves but for Him who died and rose again on our behalf (2Cor. 5:15). Consider that you are an integral part of the New Covenant which God established with us through the precious blood of His Son. A covenant is between two parties and while God is one, we are the other. He is faithful for He cannot deny Himself (2Tim. 2:13). Let us be faithful.

Be alert! Be watchful! Let not the darkness that is in the world cause us to slip into slumber (1Thes. 5:6). But like the Apostle Paul, let us fight the good fight against all that grieves God. Let us strive to finish the course. Keep the faith. In the future there is laid up for us the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to us on that day; and not only to us, but also to all who have loved His appearing (2Tim. 4:7, 8).

“Behold, I am coming quickly,” says the Lord Jesus, “And My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what He has done.” (Rev. 22:12) He who is coming will come and will not delay. The righteous ones shall however live each day with perseverance in absolute trust – in His wisdom, unfailing love and faithfulness. Cling to (cleave or adhere fast to) His purpose, His strength and to Him, the great ‘I AM’. Rely on and constantly depend on His will, His protection and His provision. (Heb. 10:37, 38; Amplified from the word faith as elaborated in the Amplified Bible.)

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”