What Difference Does Mercy Make?

In Psalm 86:5 I read, “O Lord, you are so good and kind, so ready to forgive, so full of mercy for all who ask your aid.” (TLB)

At this time of Easter, I’ve been looking at God’s mercy and why I need it in my life. His mercy is something I can’t live without. And even though I don’t deserve it and can’t earn it, he always responds mercifully when I humbly pray, “God, I need your mercy in my life.”

The Bible says, “O Lord, you are so good and kind, so ready to forgive, so full of mercy for all who ask your aid” (Psalm 86:5 TLB).

But, what difference will God’s mercy really make in my life?

Here are three things that happen when I ask God for mercy:

First, God forgives and frees me. God’s forgiveness takes care of my past guilt. And his freedom gives me the power to change in the future. Many people struggle because they can’t let go of the past. But Jesus says, “The Lord has sent me to announce freedom for prisoners, to give sight to the blind, to free everyone who suffers” (Luke 4:18 CEV).

Maybe I’m a prisoner to envy or resentment. Maybe I’m held captive by worry or addiction. He is the good news: Jesus didn’t come to judge me. He came to show me mercy! In fact, he said, “I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world” (John 12:47 NIV). James 2:13 says, “Mercy triumphs over judgment” (NIV). Yes, there will be a judgment day. But Jesus came to offer me mercy before that day occurs.

Secondly, God makes the impossible possible. Anytime I use the word “impossible,” listen for laughter from heaven, because “impossible” is not in God’s book. God can do things I can’t do. He has power and resources I’ve never dreamed of having. Jesus says, “What is impossible with man is possible with God” (Luke 18:27 NIV).

Why doesn’t God just take away all my problems? Because God uses tough times to grow my character. If I never had any problems, my persistence, determination, diligence, and patience would never have a chance to grow. God’s work in my life during hard times makes having these character traits possible.

Lastly, God saves me for eternity. I was made by God to last forever, and he wants me in his forever family. But there’s one condition: I need to ask for mercy. Acts 2:21 says, “Anyone who asks for mercy from the Lord shall have it and shall be saved” (TLB).

The reason to celebrate Easter is because Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live” (John 11:25 ESV). If Jesus had not risen from the dead, I would have no valid reason to believe that there is life after death in heaven. But because he raised himself, he can raise me.

When I accept the mercy of God, it truly makes all the difference in the world.

In summary, I’ve been looking at God’s mercy and why I need it in my life. His mercy is something I can’t live without. Even though I don’t deserve it and can’t earn it, he always responds mercifully when I humbly pray, “God, I need your mercy in my life.” Lord, you are so good and kind, so ready to forgive, so full of mercy for all who ask your aid”.  What difference will God’s mercy really make? Three things that happen when I ask God for mercy: First, God forgives and frees me. God’s forgiveness takes care of my past guilt. And his freedom gives me the power to change in the future. Maybe I’m a prisoner to envy or resentment. Maybe I’m held captive by worry or addiction. He is the good news: Jesus didn’t come to judge me. He came to show me mercy! There will be a judgment day. But Jesus came to offer me mercy before that day occurs. Secondly, God makes the impossible possible. “Impossible” is not in God’s book. God can do things I can’t do. He has power and resources I’ve never dreamed of having. Why doesn’t God just take away all my problems? Because God uses tough times to grow my character. God’s work in my life during hard times makes having these character traits possible. Lastly, God saves me for eternity. I was made by God to last forever, and he wants me in his forever family. But there’s one condition: I need to ask for mercy. The reason to celebrate Easter is because Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live”. If Jesus had not risen from the dead, I would have no valid reason to believe that there is life after death in heaven. But because he raised himself, he can raise me.

Lord, you are so good and kind, so ready to forgive, so full of mercy for all who ask your aid.