"Goodness of Mercy"

Scripture:

Psalm 118:1

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! Because His mercy endures forever. (NKJV)

Observation:

The Author of Life deserves every ounce of thanks and praise that we can muster, because without Him who gives us all good things (James 1:17) there would be no hope for any good things. Goodness is His essence and nature; it is who He is.

Application:

He is always to be praised, my friends, whether we are receiving anything from Him or not. If you are the kind of person who can only bring yourself to praise God in the good times you must rise to a higher note and sing songs of thanks and praise to Him no matter what your circumstances may be, because He alone is good (Matthew 19:17). We must never tolerate a moment’s unbelief as to the Lord’s goodness. Many things about this life can certainly be in question, but there remains this one absolute truth that should never be in question: Jehovah is good! His dispensations may vary, but His nature remains good. It is because of His absolute goodness that His mercies are eternal. His never ending mercies should be of the greatest importance for every human being, because without them we would be destined to death and destruction (Titus 3:5); for we are by nature—sinners. Since all of humanity is deeply guilty, yet graciously forgiven, we should remain focused on His divine mercy as the utter most center of His perfect goodness, for the greatest of earthly joys soon pass away, but not so with God’s mercy. The Lord Jesus Christ, who is the incarnation of the mercy of God, calls us to remember His goodness with thanksgiving, for His mercy and forgiveness are complete; they have no end! Oh, that we should praise His glorious Name.

Prayer:

How grateful I am, LORD God, that your mercy and forgiveness is complete and forever. I realize that no matter how hard I try I will always fall short of Your standard. Thank You for the Hope You have given this fallen world, for without it we would surely live in a hopeless state. Help us, dear Lord; to understand who You are and what a perfect gift it is that You have so graciously given to those who live in You.

Amen