His Mercy Endures Forever

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let Israel now say, His mercy endures forever. Let the house of Aaron now say, His mercy endures forever. Let those who fear the LORD now say, His mercy endures forever. 

Psalm 118:1-4  

Who has experienced the enduring mercy of God? Mercy is the withholding of judgment against one who deserves it. God’s character is that He is merciful and therefore shows mercy. Our text identifies several specific groups who could bear personal testimony to the enduring mercy of God. The psalmist begins with Israel, narrows his focus to the house of Aaron, and then expands it to all who fear the Lord. How have these experienced God’s mercy? Israel experienced the mercy of God in that God loved them in spite of themselves. Moses says, ‘The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the LORD loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.’ The house of Aaron received mercy in that God made them His priests even though they were demonstrably unworthy of that holy office. All who fear the Lord have experienced the mercy of God because apart from His mercy we would have no regard for God or reverence for Him. The greatest manifestation of the mercy of God is the Person and work of Christ. Christ is the reason we do not receive the judgment we deserve. He is One Who satisfies the justice of God, so God can show mercy to us who need it most.  

Our Good and Gracious God, 
we rejoice in Your mercy. 
We praise You that You extend it to us, 
in an abundance of ways. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning