"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." (Luke 15:20) Through the parable of the lost son, Jesus was trying to reveal God's heart of compassion that causes him to show mercy. 'As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed and remembers that we are dust.'(Psalm 103:13-14) We don't earn it but it is his sovereign choice and it will surprise us that God has shown compassion and mercy to the most unlikely of people and no one has the right to question it! Speaking of God's choice of Jacob over Esau, Scriptures says: 'I will have mercy on whom I have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.' (Romans 9:15/Exodus 33:19) If it be not for his mercy, how else did Paul, a violent man get saved? 'Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.' (1 Timothy 1:14) All of us who have come to believe have been shown mercy because he had compassion on us and he expects us to show the same to others he chooses. However, Ananias objected to the Lord's choice saying, "Lord, I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem ..." But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel."( Acts 9:15) Many might be surprised that God has chosen us! How can they not be surprised because we ourselves are! 'It does not therefore depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.'( Romans 9:16) Let's not forget that we ourselves are objects of his mercy because he had compassion on us. 'Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion ...' (Colossians 3:12) Amen.
66. The cause for mercy.
Sam Matthews. K
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