The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
(a final consideration regarding our series from last week)
"Confession of Sin"
Addendum
"No repentant sinner or failing saint ever need approach the heavenly throne of grace with the slightest bit of uncertainty about the inclination of the One sits on that throne. The Lord Jesus Christ shed every last drop of His blood so that when we need its blessed cleansing, it will be there for us."
"He delighteth in mercy" (Micah 7:18).
God loves to forgive. Mercy never has to be dragged from His heart, even as the Psalmist joyfully declared, "For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee" (Psalm 86:5).
The world, the devil, and the flesh arise to protest. "Such a notion is dangerous! People will take advantage of God and His truth if He is portrayed in such terms! They will sin frivolously, and then go running back to the altar of easy grace to be forgiven and cleansed!"
The best way to counter this accusation is to agree with it. Yes, some people will indeed make a mockery of mercy, and "wrest... the Scriptures unto their own destruction" (II Peter 3:16). Some will misunderstand, and view God in terms that neglect the fact that "it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Hebrews 10:31). All truth can be misunderstood and misapplied. But this constitutes no reason to avoid proclaiming the vast measure of mercy that flows from our Lord's heart to all who will come by the way He made to provide pardon and cleansing. "Great is Thy mercy toward me!" (Psalm 86:13).
God loves to forgive. He loves to "not deal with us after our sins, nor reward us according to our iniquities" (Psalm 103:10). He delighteth in mercy! No repentant sinner or failing saint ever need approach the heavenly throne of grace with the slightest bit of uncertainty about the inclination of the One sits on that throne. The Lord Jesus Christ shed every last drop of His blood so that when we need its blessed cleansing, it will be there for us.
"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh; and having an High Priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water" (Hebrews 10:19-22).
Do we view our God in this most blessed way? Do we relate to Him in such terms? Do we exalt His mercy as does the Psalmist? Do we "give thanks unto the God of gods, for His mercy endureth forever?" (Psalm 136:3). Do we "sing aloud of Thy mercy in the morning?" (Psalm 59:16). Is the conviction and confidence stored deep in the core of our being that the misery of sin and all its sordid effects kneel before the mercy of God and its glorious power to redeem all who trust in the Lord Jesus? We must answer these questions in the light of God's heart and His Word. Yes, mercy viewed rightly, and appropriated as needed, changes our hearts and causes the indwelling love of God to become our realized love for God. He delights in mercy. He loves to forgive, and if you or I need pardon and cleansing in this moment, it will be joyfully provided as we come by the way of the Son.
"I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth."
(Luke 15:7)
"Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound, that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."
(Romans 5:20-21)
"There is a place of forgiveness and grace,
our God delighteth in mercy.
For all who will come by the way of the Son
will find His pardon so plenty.
He deligheth, our God delighteth in mercy.
He delighteth, our God delighteth in mercy.
Blood has been shed, Christ is risen from the dead,
our God delighteth in mercy,
Fall to your knees, His forgiveness receive,
our God delighteth in mercy.
He deligheth, our God delighteth in mercy.
He delighteth, our God delighteth in mercy.
There is a place of forgiveness and grace,
our God delighteth in mercy.
Weekly Memory Verse
Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because He delighteth in mercy.
(Micah 7:18)
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