Obtaining Mercy
Obtaining Mercy
Introduction: The Preciousness of Mercy
Mercy is one of the sweetest words in the vocabulary of God’s kingdom. It is the reason humanity has hope, the reason judgment has not swallowed us, and the very doorway through which salvation is experienced. Mercy is God stooping low to lift man up; it is His refusal to give us the punishment we rightly deserve.
If grace is the unmerited favor of God that gives us what we do not deserve, then mercy is the loving-kindness of God that withholds what we do deserve. Without mercy, no man can stand before a holy God. The psalmist asks: “If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared” (Psalm 130:3–4).
Obtaining mercy, therefore, is not an occasional need—it is a daily necessity. The Bible says God’s mercies are “new every morning” (Lamentations 3:23). Just as we need daily bread for physical life, so do we need fresh mercy for spiritual survival.
Section One: Understanding the Nature of Mercy
Mercy is not weakness; it is the strength of God expressed in tenderness. To show mercy requires power—power to forgive, power to heal, power to restore. Scripture repeatedly affirms that mercy is central to God’s character:
- “The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works” (Psalm 145:9).
- “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us…” (Ephesians 2:4).
Mercy is not earned; it flows out of God’s nature. Yet, though it is freely offered, it must be humbly sought and properly received.
Section Two: Pathways to Obtaining Mercy
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Through Humble Prayer
Mercy is located at God’s throne. The writer of Hebrews declares: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).- Illustration: Imagine a poor beggar standing before a king, unable to pay his debts. The king’s wealth is infinite, but only those who speak up, who ask, who fall at his feet, can obtain pardon. So also, only those who approach God in humility receive mercy.
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Through Repentance
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).
Mercy is not for the proud or the pretender. It is for those who lay bare their sins before God, not excusing, but forsaking them.- Illustration: A sick man who hides his wounds from the doctor cannot be healed. Likewise, a sinner who hides his faults cannot obtain mercy.
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Through Obedience and Covenant Love
God’s mercy rests especially on those who love Him and keep His word: “And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments” (Exodus 20:6). -
Through Extending Mercy to Others
Jesus gave a principle: “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7).- Illustration: A judge once pardoned a young criminal who was guilty, sparing him from prison. Years later, the same judge stood accused of a minor political offense, and the one he pardoned years before became the lawyer who defended him. Mercy shown once returned as mercy obtained.
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Through Christ’s Intercession
Our High Priest, Jesus, makes mercy available continually. Without His sacrifice, mercy would be inaccessible. The thief on the cross obtained mercy not because of his works, but because of Christ’s immediate intercession (Luke 23:42–43).
Section Three: Biblical Examples of Obtaining Mercy
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David’s Restoration
After sinning with Bathsheba, David cried out: “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness” (Psalm 51:1). His prayer was raw, broken, and without excuse. God forgave him, though not without consequences, and David’s line became the channel for Christ’s birth—the ultimate expression of mercy. -
The People of Nineveh
Jonah preached judgment, but the king and people humbled themselves in fasting and repentance. God showed mercy and withheld destruction (Jonah 3:5–10). This shows that even collective repentance can attract corporate mercy. -
Blind Bartimaeus
Crying out persistently, “Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me” (Mark 10:47–48), Bartimaeus refused to be silenced. His insistence drew Christ’s attention, and mercy opened his blind eyes. -
The Publican in the Temple
The tax collector prayed, “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13). Unlike the Pharisee who boasted of righteousness, the publican’s humility brought immediate justification.
Section Four: The Implications of Obtaining Mercy
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Forgiveness and Justification
Mercy wipes out guilt and restores fellowship with God. Without mercy, forgiveness is impossible. -
Healing and Restoration
Many miracles in the Gospels began with a cry for mercy. To obtain mercy is to obtain healing and renewal. -
Strength in Weakness
Mercy provides help in times of failure. Paul testified: “I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief” (1 Timothy 1:13). God turned his past errors into a platform for apostolic authority. -
Eternal Security
Mercy secures eternal life. Jude exhorts: “Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 1:21). Mercy is not just for today; it is for eternity.
Section Five: Practical Applications Today
- When you fall, run to God’s throne—do not hide in shame.
- Make mercy your daily prayer. Cry out like Bartimaeus, with persistence.
- Show mercy to those who wrong you; forgive as you expect to be forgiven.
- Teach your children and household to rely on mercy, not their works.
- Remember that mercy is not weakness; it is God’s strength offered to the weak.
Conclusion: Living in the Flow of Mercy
God delights in mercy (Micah 7:18). He is not reluctant to show it; He is eager. But mercy must be sought, obtained, and lived out. When we obtain mercy, we experience pardon, power, and peace.
Mercy is the cushion between man’s failures and God’s holiness. It is the bridge from judgment to grace. It is the reason we live today and the assurance that we shall live forever with Him.
Let us therefore approach God with boldness, humility, and persistence—knowing that His mercies endure forever.
✨ Key Verse to Memorize:
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” —Hebrews 4:16
