The Mercy Of God # 1

 The Mercy Of God # 1

"O give thanks unto the Lord: for He is good, for His mercy endures forever." (Psalm 136:1). For this perfection of the divine character, God is greatly to be praised. Three times over in as many verses does the Psalmist here call upon the saints to give thanks unto the Lord for this adorable attribute. And surely this is the least that can be asked for from those who have been recipients of such bounty. When we contemplate the characteristics of this divine excellency, we cannot do otherwise than bless God for it. His mercy is great, plenteous, tender, abundant, it is "from everlasting to everlasting upon those who fear Him" (Psalm 103:17).

Well may we say with the Psalmist, "I will sing aloud of Your mercy" (59:16).

"I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy to whom I show mercy." (Exodus 33:19). Wherein differs the "mercy" of God from His "grace"? The mercy of God has its spring in the divine goodness.

The first issue of God's goodness is His benignity or bounty, by which He gives liberally to His creatures as creatures, thus has He given being and life to all things.

The second issue of God's goodness is His mercy, which denotes the ready inclination of God to relieve the misery of fallen creatures. Thus, mercy presupposes sin.

Though it may not be easy at the first consideration to perceive a real difference between the grace and the mercy of God, it helps us thereto if we carefully ponder His dealings with the unfallen angels. He has never exercised mercy toward them, for they have never stood in any need thereof, not having sinned or come beneath the effects of the curse. Yet, they certainly are the objects of God's free and sovereign grace.

First, because of His election of them from out of the whole angelic race (1 Timothy 5:21).

Secondly, and in consequence of their election, because of His preservation of them from apostasy, when satan rebelled and dragged down with im one-third of the celestial multitude (Revelation 12:4).

Thirdly, in making Christ their Head (Colossians 2:10; 1 Peter 3:22), whereby they are eternally secured in the hold condition in which they were created.

Fourthly, because of the exalted position which has been assigned to them: to live in God's immediate presence (Daniel 7:10), to serve Him constantly in His heavenly temple, to receive honorable commissions from Him (Hebrews 1:14). This is abundant grace toward them; but it is not "mercy."

In endeavoring to study the mercy of God as it is set forth in Scripture, a threefold distinction needs to be made, if the Word of Truth is to be "rightly divided" thereon.

First, there is a general mercy of God, which is extended not only to all men, believers and unbelievers alike, but also to the entire creation: "His tender mercies are over all His works" (Psalms 145:9); "He gives to all life, and breath, and all things" (Acts 17:25). God has pity upon the brute creation in their need, and supplies them with suitable provision.

Secondly, there is a special mercy of God, which is exercised toward mankind, helping and supporting them, notwithstanding their sins. To them also He communicates all the necessities of life, "for He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:45).

Thirdly, there is sovereign mercy which is reserved for the heirs of salvation, which is communicated to them in a covenant way, through the Mediator.

The difference between the second and third distinctions pointed out above, it is important to note that the mercies which God bestows on the wicked are solely of a temporal nature; that is to say, they are confined strictly to this present life. There will be no mercy extended to them beyond the grave: "It is a people of no understanding: therefore He who made them will not have mercy on them, and He who formed them will show them no favor" (Isaiah 27:11).

~A. W. Pink~

(continued with # 2)