Tender Mercies
Lam. 3:19-26 I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is down cast within me. Yet then I call to mind and therefore I have hope. Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself. “The Lord is my portion; therefore, I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
The prophet Jeremiah wrote the Book of Lamentations. He was appointed by God to call out the sin of a wayward people and commanded their repentance. He was so very aware of the influence and outcome of the sin in his life as well as God’s people. The awareness of this sin possibly brought about emotional depression or being overwhelmed with the grief of sin committed. In the midst of the awareness of his and others sin he could see the love and goodness of God. Jeremiah heralds the fact that God’s compassion, his pity, and his mercy never disappear. They are new every single morning!
The older I become, the more filled with gratitude I am for God’s embracing mercy extended towards me and all that I know. “Mercy assumes the need of him who is to receive it.” Mercy is always about action being taken. We can extend mercy to others, but there is nothing compared to God extending his mercy to us. It is out of his love that mercy flows. As vast as His love is, His mercy is just as overwhelming and yours to be embraced.
Why is mercy important to us? Mercy encompasses forgiveness and covering of sin. God acted in mercy in sending Jesus Christ to this world. Specifically, to bear our sins on Calvary’s cross and to rise from the grave three days later. Jesus conquered sin and death. His mercy made a way for you and I to experience new life and new beginnings. Mercy opens the door to new beginnings and keeps opening the door every morning you wake up.
In reading about John, the Baptist’s birth and future ministry, I noted the word “tender” describing God’s mercy. Lu.1:76-79 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet onto the path of peace.
The word tender is an important adverb. It describes mercy. The Greek denotes mercy as something being of great depth. The English word used in scripture is “bowels” which describes the depth of this amazing gift from God.
The word tender also communicates softness, God’s softness. I know we do not often think of softness as part of God’s character or his ways, but it is.
Think about it… you can extend mercy to someone with a dutiful attitude but not necessarily with an attitude which displays a softness. When tenderness is attached to mercy, there is a profound impact for the one receiving this act of love.
When I think of tender mercy, the picture immediately comes to mind of a mother or father picking up their child, who is in pain, to cuddle and hold them so softly. Tender is the whisper in their ear that they are safe in the parents arms and the pain will go away. Tender is the soft comforting kiss to the place of pain which brings peace to the child’s heart. It’s all better now. This assumes the need on the part of the child who needs it.
It is interesting that when studying the word mercy in the New Testament, you will find the word peace accompanying it; that is no coincidence. The word peace simply means nothing missing, nothing broken, all is well!
It is God’s tender mercies that are new for you today. He is delighted in you, as a father and mother are in their child. God’s love and tender mercies far excel our human efforts to provide healing and peace. Your Heavenly Father’s mercy extended to you has the profound element of forgiveness and hope. Hope for a bright expectation of all your tomorrows and great is his faithfulness.
Let your Heavenly Father embrace you in mercy today and enjoy the tenderness of his affection for you. Sins can be forgiven and covered by his love. Draw near to him and he will draw near to you. Great is his faithfulness!
The prophet Jeremiah wrote the Book of Lamentations. He was appointed by God to call out the sin of a wayward people and commanded their repentance. He was so very aware of the influence and outcome of the sin in his life as well as God’s people. The awareness of this sin possibly brought about emotional depression or being overwhelmed with the grief of sin committed. In the midst of the awareness of his and others sin he could see the love and goodness of God. Jeremiah heralds the fact that God’s compassion, his pity, and his mercy never disappear. They are new every single morning!
The older I become, the more filled with gratitude I am for God’s embracing mercy extended towards me and all that I know. “Mercy assumes the need of him who is to receive it.” Mercy is always about action being taken. We can extend mercy to others, but there is nothing compared to God extending his mercy to us. It is out of his love that mercy flows. As vast as His love is, His mercy is just as overwhelming and yours to be embraced.
Why is mercy important to us? Mercy encompasses forgiveness and covering of sin. God acted in mercy in sending Jesus Christ to this world. Specifically, to bear our sins on Calvary’s cross and to rise from the grave three days later. Jesus conquered sin and death. His mercy made a way for you and I to experience new life and new beginnings. Mercy opens the door to new beginnings and keeps opening the door every morning you wake up.
In reading about John, the Baptist’s birth and future ministry, I noted the word “tender” describing God’s mercy. Lu.1:76-79 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet onto the path of peace.
The word tender is an important adverb. It describes mercy. The Greek denotes mercy as something being of great depth. The English word used in scripture is “bowels” which describes the depth of this amazing gift from God.
The word tender also communicates softness, God’s softness. I know we do not often think of softness as part of God’s character or his ways, but it is.
Think about it… you can extend mercy to someone with a dutiful attitude but not necessarily with an attitude which displays a softness. When tenderness is attached to mercy, there is a profound impact for the one receiving this act of love.
When I think of tender mercy, the picture immediately comes to mind of a mother or father picking up their child, who is in pain, to cuddle and hold them so softly. Tender is the whisper in their ear that they are safe in the parents arms and the pain will go away. Tender is the soft comforting kiss to the place of pain which brings peace to the child’s heart. It’s all better now. This assumes the need on the part of the child who needs it.
It is interesting that when studying the word mercy in the New Testament, you will find the word peace accompanying it; that is no coincidence. The word peace simply means nothing missing, nothing broken, all is well!
It is God’s tender mercies that are new for you today. He is delighted in you, as a father and mother are in their child. God’s love and tender mercies far excel our human efforts to provide healing and peace. Your Heavenly Father’s mercy extended to you has the profound element of forgiveness and hope. Hope for a bright expectation of all your tomorrows and great is his faithfulness.
Let your Heavenly Father embrace you in mercy today and enjoy the tenderness of his affection for you. Sins can be forgiven and covered by his love. Draw near to him and he will draw near to you. Great is his faithfulness!
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