Psalm 123:3

Psalm 123:3

All about mercy

As we know, God is a merciful God, but what does that mean? Jesus said in the Beatitudes, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7. What did He mean? 

One of the best known and most powerful illustrations of mercy in the Bible, is the story of the Prodigal Son. As we know, the youngest of two sons left his home with his share of the family inheritance and went off and squandered it all, self-indulgently, until he was destitute. He ended up a broken man and also very hungry! At the very bottom of his pit of despair, the son decides to go back home and to get on his knees and beg to be a servant of his family. He has no expectation of restoration or acceptance, just deep regret for his foolishness. But his waiting father sees him a long way off, runs and embraces him, clothes him in fine clothes and throws a feast in his honour. That is mercy!

Clearly, this is a picture of our God who welcomes us with loving arms back into the family, when we repent from our sin and recognise the way we have squandered our lives. How do we define mercy then? It is compassion that is undeserved. It is the removal of punishment even though justice demands it. It is at the will of the one who grants it and cannot be earned. It is being accepted when we should be rejected. The Hebrew word for mercy is closely linked with love, only genuine love can produce such merciful kindness. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” 

Coming back to the Psalm, the author pleads for God’s mercy. The contempt and arrogance of his enemies are too much to bear. It is time for God to take action and deliver him and his people. When we humbly pray by faith for such help, it will be given, mercy demands it. Hallelujah! 

 

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