Dec 03 – MERCY OF GOD!

“for His mercies are great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man”(2 Samuel 24:14).

Great are the mercies of God. Once Kind David commanded that a census be taken of all the people of Israel and Judah. This act reflected David’s reliance on his own strength and the multitude of his people. He charged, Joab, the commander of his army to count the people of Israel, by their tribes. Even when Joab requested not to proceed with such a census, David was firm in his decision. And this act of taking a census, to rely on the strength of his soldiers instead of trusting in God, was a sin in the eyes of the Lord.

As a punishment for David’s iniquity, God placed three choices in front of David. He wanted David to choose either seven years of famine in the land, or being chased by the enemies for three months, or three days of plague in the land. When David heard this, he was greatly troubled and distressed. And David said: “I am in great distress. Please let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man.”(2 Samuel 24:14)

You should never fall into the hands of man or into the hands of Satan, but turn to the Lord. For though He chastises, He embraces you with love. Though He bruises, He binds you up. And great are His mercies toward you. He does not punish you according to your sins, but graciously forgives, and gives you the grace to lead a holy life. The Scripture says: “Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed,Because His compassions fail not.They are new every morning;Great is Your faithfulness”(Lamentations 3:22, 23).

Indeed, our sins are so grievous, and we deserve a serious punishment. But since the mercy and grace of God is greater, He came down to earth and became the lamb that was slain for our sins. He was bruised for our transgressions and chastised for our iniquities. He offered Himself up as the sin offering. How do you get such abundant mercy from Him? The Scripture says: “He who covers his sins will not prosper,But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy”(Proverbs 28:13)

There is a limit to the mercy of a man. But there is no limit to the mercies of God. While the mercy of man, changes over time, the love and grace of God never changes, is without end, and abides for ever and ever. “For the LORD your God is a merciful God, He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them”(Deuteronomy 4:31).

Verse for further meditation: “So our eyes look to the LORD our God, Until He has mercy on us.” (Psalm 123:2)