“The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy” (Psalm 103:8).
TEXT — Psalm 103:1-22
Message
Mercy, someone said, is a gift given to the guilty. In the law courts, it is usually when a case is concluded and the defendant found guilty that the defence pleads for mercy. Divine mercy then is God’s gift to sinful man who although deserves punishment for his sinfulness, yet receives unconditional pardon from a loving Lord.
In the text for today, the psalmist exalts and praises God with a sense of gratitude and appreciation for who He is. Several times in the passage, he uses the phrase “bless the Lord”. He did this in recognition of the mercies of the Lord and because of the many benefits that God has given to His children. The benefits include, forgiveness of sins, healing, satisfaction with good things and physical and spiritual renewal.
The psalmist further identifies God’s love and mercies as endless. “He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities” (Psalm 103:10). He also sees God’s love and mercies as non-discriminatory. He, therefore, calls on every creature to bless the Lord.
We must recognise that “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed”. More so, it is “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5). We must reciprocate this uncommon love and mercy of God by appreciating Him at all times and in all places, and serving Him to the uttermost!
Thought for the day
God’s mercies are inalienable and new every morning.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
2 comments
I thank God for a man of God so far I pray that the Lord will continue to renew his vision new strength and more power to take us to the end in Jesus name I am glad to have you as my father in the Lord God bless you sir and remain strength for the rest of your life amen
I thank God for a man of God so far I pray that the Lord will continue to renew his vision new strength and more power to take us to the end in Jesus name I am glad to have you as my father in the Lord God bless you sir and remain strength for the rest of your life amen
Wonderfully blessed