Call out for mercy

"Christ is made Lord over all and is called in Scripture God's mercy-stool (or, mercy seat): therefore, whoever flees to Christ can neither hear nor receive from God anything other than mercy." (William Tyndale)

William Tyndale was one of the courageous souls who gave his life to put God's Word into English. His dedicated work (and others who followed after) enabled you and me to have the Bible in our own language. We then could learn, through the reading of our mother tongue, of the mercy God gives to us.

Mercy is provided to those who otherwise deserve just punishment. We like to believe we are guiltless, but deep within our souls we know we are not. We are guilty of many wrongs against our Creator, the most important being our failure to receive and obey His Son, Christ Jesus. Even if we believe that Jesus died for our sins we go on to disobey His commands for our life. Without God's continuing mercy we would be souls in the midst of the waters of fast moving destruction. But God....

God looks at us, weak in our sin, and extents mercy to those who will simply call out to Him to lift us out of the waters of destruction. We have in no way earned this loving act, but because of His mercy, those who call will receive His merciful salvation, merciful grace -- grace, favor unmerited.

This mercy then continues throughout our lives. Mercy, when we refuse to go when He tells us to go. Mercy, when He tells us to wait, and we go anyway. Mercy, when He provides a way out of the temptation we face, but we surrender to that temptation and turn our back on His way out of harm's way. This mercy He provides just as soon as we recognize our failure and call out for His hand of help. Mercy, amazing mercy.

And why does God give to us this amazing mercy? He loves us. "For God so loved..." Yes, God loves and stands ready to give to each of us His mercy. We just need to call out to Him. Go ahead. It'll be the best local call you ever made.

•••

Editor's note: Jim Duncan is the pastor of Mountain Bible Church, Mountain, Mo. He may be contacted at P.O. Box 146, Pea Ridge, AR 72751; or by telephone at 417-341-8504; by e-mail at [email protected]. His Web site is www.jamesduncan-writer.net.

Religion on 04/30/2014