God's Love and Mercy

ST. JOHN 3:16 KJV “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Jesus! He gave us His son Jesus. Can you imagine that for one moment? Anyone who is a parent knows just what an act of mercy that would be! I can remember the anguish I felt as a parent, dropping off my child at preschool for the first time, having to leave her there for the day! I simply cannot imagine how it felt for God to have to watch His precious Son die on that cross, all so that we would not perish but have eternal life! Hallelujah!

What a gift to us! It is something we must never take for granted. Praise be to God the Father in Heaven! His promise is to a thousand generations! Psalm 105:7-8 RSV “He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. He is mindful of his covenant for ever, of the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations...”

God in His great wisdom knew that the only way for us to be saved would be if He allowed His Son Jesus to die for our sins. Our sins could not go unpunished therefore Jesus bore them in His own body by the many lashings He dutifully received on our behalf. Isaiah 53:4-5 RSV “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried away our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed.”

Jesus faithfully and obediently allowed Himself to be delivered up to the authorities like a lamb to the slaughter! All so that we could have life abundantly! All so that we could be free of sicknesses and infirmities. All so that we could have life everlasting! Isaiah 53:7-9 RSV “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.”

Let’s all take a moment to bow our heads in reverence for the Lord God Almighty, who has made it possible for us to live our lives, covered and protected by His unending love, grace and mercy! Amen.

PS Psalm 100:1-5 KJV “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God; it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gate with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” AMEN!

All glory for these words as always goes to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Praise be to God! Amen.