“The Merciful Kindness of God”


BIBLE READING: Psalm 116-118

                This is the shortest psalm and the shortest chapter in the Bible. It is interesting that it is also the middle chapter of the whole Bible. It, like so many other psalms, tells the reader to praise the LORD. The second verse contains 2 grand reasons of why we should praise God. First, we should praise Him for His merciful or redemptive or loving kindness toward us; and second, for His eternal truth.
It is God’s inherent truthfulness that enables us to trust Him so completely. Truth is God’s character trait that moves Him to always deal or do business with humanity in reality, fact, and honesty. We have learned throughout the Old Testament that our God is the covenant-making Creator, who never breaks His promise. Whatever God promises, we can be assured that He will certainly provide that thing. It moves Him to extend love and mercy to all who come humbly to Him in confession and repentance. Mercy is not getting what we deserve. The mercy of God is what we all need every morning.
King Richard III of England ruled only 2 years before being killed, in 1485, in the Battle of Bosworth Field. Shortly before the battle, Richard went out at twilight to inspect the site of the next day’s battle. When he arrived at the front line he found a sentinel fast asleep at the outpost. The king promptly executed him by stabbing him in the heart, leaving a note on his chest with the stern inscription: “I found him asleep and I left him so.” What a contrast to the merciful kindness our God has with us, His often-sleeping disciples.                        -Ed Rea


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