5 Beautiful Mercies of God to Rejoice in Each Morning

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:3-5 ESV)

Mercy, translated in English, is compassion. Compassion is “a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering” (Dictionary.com). Because of God’s mercy, His compassion for us, our inheritance is eternal life in heaven with Him. The greatest reward for us is to be with the One who formed us, loves us, and purposed us. He knows us, sees us, hears us, and we are eternally connected relationally to Him.

We cannot do anything to earn God’s mercy and compassion. Compassion is who He is—not what we deserve. Our hope is not in the things of this world, but the eternal rest and peace we have to look forward to in heaven. Rejoice daily, for our inheritance as children of God through Christ!

"In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:11-14)

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“he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,” (Titus 3:5 NIV)

Salvation is a beautiful mercy of God. The apostle John recorded Jesus’ words, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again” (John 3:3 NIV). We come to God, through Jesus. Salvation in Christ is to believe Jesus came to earth, fully God and fully man, to die on the cross in order to save us from our sins. He is the way God made for us to come through the curtain of sin that prohibited us from standing in the presence of our holy God. When Jesus breathed His last breath on the cross, the thick and ornate temple curtain which represented this separation was torn.

“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus spoke, “no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to the spirit. You should not be surprised by my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:5-8 NIV)

Each day, we awake to chains falling off and the whisper of freedom, joy, peace and hope residing in our souls regardless of outside circumstances. Jesus is interested in the reality of someone’s relationship with God (NIV Application Commentary). New birth is the work of the Holy Spirit, according to the mercy of God (The Expositor’s Bible Commentary).

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“keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.” (Jude 21)

Our hope is in Jesus Christ, a beautiful mercy to rejoice in daily. God’s plan for us is the greatest love story of all time. His compassion for His wayward children caused Him to send His one and only Son, Jesus, to sacrifice His life on the cross for us. Jesus willingly came down from heaven to live an earthly life. He grew as any other human child, and so can relate the human experience intimately. He is not far, but close.

On the walk to the cross, to die the unjust and brutal death of crucifixion, Jesus was mocked and stripped of every form of human dignity. It breaks our hearts wide open in a beautiful and gracious way when we understand our names were individually on His heart as He hung there on the cross. Our God relentlessly pursues us, desiring us to come home to Him, eternally. Our hope is not in the things and promises of this world, but in Jesus.

"But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." (Isaiah 43:1-2)

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“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.” (Psalm 51:1 NIV)

We no longer have to complete the rigorous rituals of Old Testament sacrifices in order to be forgiven for our sins. We simply come to God through Christ. His once for all sacrifice swung the gates of heaven open to those who believe in Him. Perfection exists in Him alone. Jesus lived the perfect life on earth. We will never attain perfection in any area of our lives! Every sin, stronghold, addiction, struggle, season of grief and suffering is overcome completely through the strength of Christ Jesus.

Jesus is the solution to every heartache, season of isolation, and painful sin He removes from our hearts. Forgiveness is amazing. No strings attached—leave the sin at Jesus’ feet, and turn from it. Jesus promises, if we abide in Him and He in us, we can ask Him anything. Forgiveness is a beautiful mercy of God to rejoice in each day, and extend to each other.

“This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matthew 6:9-15)

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“For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back.” (Isaiah 54:7 NIV)

This passage refers to the Babylonian exile. Isaiah proclaimed,

“Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.” (Isaiah 55:3)

God is faithful in keeping His promises. As Lamentations 3:23 reminds us, His mercies are new every morning. God knows what lies ahead. He is faithfully and mercifully preparing the way for us, ultimately through Jesus Christ to come to Him for eternity. His plan is to draw us closer to Him. Through every breathtaking sunrise, majestic hike in the woods, everyday rescue from loneliness and protection from elements and forces we cannot even see. He is merciful, faithful, not wanting one of His children to perish. Peter wrote,

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

Everyday, we can wake to pray, confessing our sins and picking up the peace of forgiveness and grace to walk out into the promises He has prepared and purposed for the current day.

The mercies of our God are unending and new everyday. Look for Him in the fabric of each day, stretching our time, healing our ailments, and encouraging us to remember Him and hold onto hope. This world isn’t home. When it feels awful, look up and know eternity with God awaits for all who believe in Jesus. Home is with Him.

Sources:
Dictionary.com

NIV Application Commentary

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary

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