Memorise; And the publican standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast,
saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. Luke 18:13
Since the fall of man at the Garden of Eden, the only factor that has
sustained man in this world is God’s mercy. When a man receives God’s mercy, it
would appear as if he is a genius or his righteousness has bestowed upon him
some divine benevolence. This is not true. The Bible says in Lamentations 3:22
- “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his
compassions fail not.”
In our memory verse for today, we read of the mercy which brought justification to the repentant publican. Because he begged for it, his day of mercy came unhindered. Jesus said in Luke 18:14 - “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abase, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
One striking revelation in Christ’s assertion is that we can only obtain
mercy when we acknowledge our sins and repent of them as the publican did.
According to Luke 18:14, what prevents some people from receiving mercy from
God is failure to admit that they are sinners and that they need to turn from
their wicked ways. It is amazing that some children of God are in the habit of
living in the world of relativism where what is right or wrong depends on the
justification they have for it. This is not the gospel. When they are caught
stealing, they would rationalise it by putting the guilt on the fact that they
are jobless. Some ladies claim that they took to prostitution because they were
jobless and needed to take care of their aged parents!
“Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn
from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; if the wicked restore the
pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without
committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.” Ezekiel 33:14-15
It takes humility to acknowledge it if we do something wrong against God
or against our neighbour. The Bible says in Proverbs 28:13: “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and
forsaketh them shall have mercy.”
Your appointed day of mercy comes when you humbly ask for it from the One
who is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4). I appeal to someone using this
devotional; if you have not repented of your sins through Jesus Christ, being
forth the day of God’s mercy into your life by calling on the God of mercy
today for forgiveness. Or, if you are a child of God, but seem to be void of
His mercy, call on Him like a child will cry to his loving father for mercy.
Today is the day of the Lord’s mercy for you and your loved ones in Jesus’ name.
Prayer Point: Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me and
give me testimonies.
Bible in one year: 1st Samuel 8:19-10:16, Proverbs 4:10-19
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