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A Miracle Valley Sermon 7th May , 2023.
Mercy is benevolence, forgiveness, and kindness in a variety of ethical, religious, social, and legal contexts. (Wikipedia)
Generally, a higher power has greater custody of mercy. All human beings whether kings and queens ask for mercy, from other human beings, and most often from God. In effect we all desire the mercies of God.
Incidentally many will not show mercy while they also ask for mercy, even from malaria infection.
Why ask for mercy?
We ask for mercy, because we have offended God or man. We ask for mercy to shift punishment.
This is normal and mercy gives room for mutual co-existence.
Note these:
6:9 And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness.
6:10 I have seen an horrible thing in the house of Israel: there is the whoredom of Ephraim, (Hosea 6 : 9 – 10).
COMMENT :
In a world where the priests are often guilty and the ordinary men so do wickedness, only by mercy shall men be delivered. In two separate companion verses , scripture holds :
(1) “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” (Hoses 6 : 6).
(2) And Jesus said :
9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Matthew 9 : 13).
For these possible reasons, only by mercy of God, shall men live on earth, even unto eternity. God is seeking to forgive us and calls for the repentance of sinners.
Men must be merciful to receive mercy on the evil day.
In the literature on the Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare the virtues of mercy were extolled :
The quality of mercy” is a speech given by Portia in William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice (Act 4, Scene 1). In the speech, Portia, disguised as a lawyer, begs Shylock to show mercy to Antonio. The speech extols the power of mercy, “an attribute to God Himself.”
Note these extracts :
The quality of mercy is not strain’d.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
‘Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes
The thronèd monarch better than his crown”.
Shylock wanted the pound of flesh, of Anthonio, despite odds and will not show mercy. He was overcome by justice in mercy.
IN THE ABOVE WE CAN NOTE THAT GOD EXPECTS MEN TO SHOW MERCY. HOWBEIT , PEOPLE HAVE FAILED TO SHOW MERCY.
How can Shylock receive his pound of flesh without spilling blood. Those who do not show mercy, must pay a price in the course of vengeance, often greater than what they intend to achieve.
For the heartlessness of men:
“IF NOT FOR THE LORD’S MERCIES, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN CONSUMED.”
“It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” (Lamentations 3 : 22).
Some Fundamental Biblical Quotes on Mercy.
(1) 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (Matthew 5 :7).
COMMENT :
If you cannot show mercy, a day will come, you also will be denied mercy.
And if in the might of our hearts, we often see others as tiny brats and hurt them, because they are powerless, we must not forget that God is the custodian of mercy.
Note this also :
(2) “O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.9:9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;” (Daniel 9 : 8 – 9).
The Jews in exile noted their faults, but accepted that God out of mercy spared them.
Why can we not retrace our steps backwards and stop being vindictive and merciless to our powerless neighbours.
CAN YOU SEE HOW GOD REACTS TO OUR FAILURES OR SIN THAT DESRERVES PUNISHMENT?
Read the following:
(1) 6:7 But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.
6:8 Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood. (Hoses 6 : 7 – 8).
(2) And from Daniel :
9:8 O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.9:9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him; Daniel 9 : 8 – 9)
(3) And from the book of Exodus
When Moses sought to see the glory of the Lord, God said to Him:
“And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.33:19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.”,(Exodus 33 : 18 – 19).
HOW MERCY COMES FROM THE LORD:
And from Job:
37:9 Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.
37:10 By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.
37:11 Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:
37:12 And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth. (JOB 37 : 9 – 12)
NOTE THE OUTCOME OF THE ABOVE:
37:13 He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy. (Job 37 : 13).
Please prayerfully read this about mercy and note that we are alive today , because God is merciful. We have to begin doing good. AMEN.
God bless you and me and may He have mercy on us all Amen.
Miracle Valley Sermon @ Land of Goshen, Miracle Valley Agiliti, Mile 12, Lagos 7th May 2023.
Website : www.mvgmng.org.
If you feel concerned, please share among loved ones.
Rev. Prof. P C Nnaocha.
MVGMII. +234 803 717 9735.