What a wonderful, loving Father the Lord is to His children! He loves us with a love so strong that we cannot even begin to fathom it!
And yet, there are so many people that avoid His presence because they believe that He is angry with them. Somewhere along the way, they have messed up, tripped up, or flat out failed the Lord, and they can’t bring themselves to come before Him because they think He wants to punish them for their actions.
Have you ever felt this way? Have you ever messed up over and over or struggled with that same old sin, then felt as if you couldn’t come before the Lord?
Well I have some great news for you! The Lord is not angry with you and He wants you to come to Him so that He can show you His great love!
Micah 7:18 (AMP) says, Who is a God like You, Who forgives iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retains not His anger forever, because He delights in mercy and loving-kindness.
The Lord delights in mercy and love!
The New Living Translations says the Lord …delights in showing unfailing love. And the Living Bible says He …loves to be merciful.
But my favorite version of this verse is in the Message Bible:
Where is the god who can compare with You – wiping the slate clean of guilt, turning a blind eye and a deaf ear, to the past sins of Your purged and precious people? You don’t nurse Your anger and don’t stay angry for long, for mercy is Your specialty. That’s what You love most.
Mercy is God’s specialty. Showing mercy is what He loves most!
I don’t know about you, but knowing this truth thrills me! I find I’m always in need of His mercy, so I cling to this verse.
Mercy is so much more than just God’s forgiveness and forbearance toward us. According to Vine’s Expository Dictionary, two of the Hebrew words translated as “mercy” are chesed and rechem.
Chesed means: loving-kindness; steadfast love; grace; mercy; faithfulness; goodness; devotion. And rechem means: bowels; womb; mercy. Rechem gives the picture “of ‘tender love,’ such as a mother has for the child she has born,” (Vine’s).
I love that!
The Lord God Almighty and Creator of the Universe has a tender love for you – in the same way a mother tenderly loves the child of her womb! Yet His love for us far exceeds any human love!
His steadfast, unfailing love includes tenderness, mercy, grace, faithfulness, goodness, and devotion. He delights in showing these qualities to His children! He delights in showing His mercy and unfailing love to you!
So, I want to encourage you the next time you slip up, fall or fail, don’t withdraw from or avoid the Lord’s presence. Don’t run from Him – run to Him. He wants to take you in His arms, love on you, show you His tenderness, forgiveness and mercy.
Showing mercy and unfailing love is what God loves most. He delights in it. Mercy is His specialty!
Psalm 107:1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good: for His mercy endures forever.
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Thank you Julie. I’m heading over to your blog to check it out right now! Blessings!
What a beautiful post. It’s such a blessing to serve a merciful God.
Amen to that! Blessings!
Thankful to have this reminder of God’s great mercy–they are new every morning!
Thanks again for linking up with WIP Wednesday!
Mary Beth
I’m always thankful that I have a God that loves me right where I’m at. I was just thinking today of the image of being “covered” with/ through Jesus. It’s a beautiful picture.
Thank you for sharing.
Yes, that is a beautiful picture! Blessings, Alisha
This is absolutely lovely. What a wonderful reminder. I definitely need to hear this a lot–in our own sinful unmercifulness sometimes it’s easy to forget how kind, compassionate and merciful God IS!
I wrote a little bit about this yesterday…
http://jaimie-livinginthelight.blogspot.com/2012/07/family-friends-faith-so-many-blessings.html
Wait. Sorry. Wrong url. it’s http://jaimie-livinginthelight.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-lavish-grace-of-god.html. 🙂
Wonderful! I will visit your blog & read your post! Blessings, Alisha
What beautiful and encouraging thoughts on the gift of mercy.
Thank you!
Such an encouraging post! I’m in need of His mercy every day too and I love that He is faithful to give it and even more that He delights in giving it. Thank you… blessings!
Amen! Blessings to you too!
I LOVE the Hebrew versions of mercy. A tender and exceeding love for us indeed! AWESOME post! 🙂
Haha! That’s because He’s an AWESOME God! 😉
Alisha – I really needed this reminder today. Two of my three little boys are sick and my patience is wearing thin. As I stumble with anger and frustration, I hesitate to fall to my knees. I’ve asked forgiveness so many times before. You are so right – God delights in extending mercy and grace!
Thank you for linking up at Thrive@Home!
Yes, He is so faithful!!! But Audra, how did I miss linking to your blog? I didn’t realize you were linked with Jenni. I will head over there & visit (& add you to the link). Blessings, Alisha
So glad we worship a merciful God. Thanks for the reminder!
Thank you for this encouragement. I’ve been on a journey through the Old Testament, and I often struggle with the balance between a just God and a merciful God. I love the thought that mercy is God’s specialty. Visiting today from Faith-Filled Friday!
Thank you for visiting! God bless you, Alisha
Beautifully said!
Blessings!
Thank you for reminding us how much the Father truly loves us! I am so grateful for His mercies. Thank you for linking up at Leaving A Legacy.
Blessings~
Shari
I’ve felt that delight of mercy and love that our Heavenly Father shows. I can’t comprehend His love. But I’m ever so thankful. What a blessing this post was to my heart.
I’m so thankful for His love & mercy too! Blessings, Alisha
His goodness and mercy never cease to amaze me. Thank you for this encouraging post.
Blessings,
Charlotte