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Three: In the comparison between Mercy and Grace we see that mercy is different
Mercy
from grace. It is grace that forgives, but mercy gives a better position. In 2 Samuel 9
we have David showing mercy to Mephibosheth. Not only did his mercy forgive
Mephibosheth for the sins of his grandfather, Saul, but David’s mercy to him put
Mephibosheth into the palace of David where he ate at the honoured position at
David’s table; that’s mercy It always leaves the one to whom it is shown in a better
mercy.
position.

Four: Let me add to this word study by drawing a connection between Mercy and
Justice.
Justice Mercy is at one with justice. I love the Biblical picture that suggests that as
a result of the one act of Christ’s mercy towards mankind, mercy and justice (truth)
were seen to kiss. It is this meeting between mercy and justice that now makes
forgiveness no longer a violation to God’s righteousness, holiness and justice.
I hope that these critical comparisons have helped for you to see where mercy fits in.
if we put them all together it would look something like this: Mercy is bigger than
ercy
Love.
different
Justice.
Forgiveness but less then Love. It is different from Grace, but one with Justice.

Prayer Thought: Won’t you ponder for a while these words and the inter-relationship
hought:
that exists between them and get a fresh picture of the wonder of God’s mercy
towards us that it incorporates His forgiveness and is a fruit of His love; the fact
that it partners with justice and reflects the wonder of His grace.

Thursday
Reading: Mark 10 v 46 – 52
Over the next three days I would like to discuss three characteristics of mercy.
Today let us consider the first characteristic: Mercy is SENSITIVE.
There is no greater institution in the world I believe than that of the local church. A
local church is not there just to facilitate worship, but is there by God’s plan to be an
agent of mercy to a hurting and broken world. The problem as I see it, with many of
the hurts and sadness that we confront on a daily basis is that we can so tend to
become hardened towards them. I see this particularly when I witness teams who
come from overseas to our church. On their first introduction to our community,
many are moved to tears at what they see; when they see the devastation that
HIV/AIDS brings to our community; when they see the dysfunctionality of the youth
in our community; when they see the result of crime and poverty, many of their
hearts are visibly broken. I do not often see the same response today amongst people
who live here and have grown up in this system. The problem is not that we don’t
see it anymore; the problem is that every time we see it, we become more hardened