The mercy of God is an important theme in the Bible. To know God, is to know and experience his mercy.

God said to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion” (Exodus 33:19). James Montgomery Boice wrote, “Have you found the mercy of God in the Word of God? Until you have, you will never think of the Bible as being wonderful” (James Montgomery Boice, Psalms, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998, 3:1042). Mercy is God’s compassion toward those in need when they deserve otherwise. God withholds punishment for our sins, and grants us the gift of his grace through faith.

David prayed to God in Psalm 25:6 Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses, For they are from of old. 7 Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; According to Your mercy remember me, For Your goodness’ sake, O LORD.

David asked God to remember his mercies and lovingkindesses. God’s covenant love was so great it was thought of in the plural. He has always been merciful to his people. Appealing to the mercy of God is a consistent theme in the New Testament. The blind men sitting by the road cried out to Jesus for mercy in Matthew 9. The Canaanite woman pled with Jesus to have mercy and heal her daughter in Matthew 15. The lepers cried out and asked for mercy from Jesus in Luke 17. The tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even look up. He beat his chest and said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner” in Luke 18. The greatest evidence of mercy ever, was the cross of Jesus Christ.

The prayer for mercy, is an always answered prayer! Never hesitate to pray for mercy. If you humble yourself before the Lord, and ask for mercy, you will never go away disappointed.

Psalm 86:15 But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.

O God, we are dependent on your mercy for all things. Look upon us, your children, and shower your abundant mercy on us. Though we are undeserving, we are thankful.