It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
What the Bible Says About Mercy
Mercy is one of God's defining attributes throughout Scripture. While grace gives us what we do not deserve, mercy withholds what we do deserve. Lamentations 3:22-23 declares that it is only because of God's mercies that we are not consumed, and that His compassions are renewed every single morning. Every new day is evidence of God's mercy toward a fallen world.
The Bible presents God as rich in mercy. Ephesians 2:4-5 reveals that even when humanity was spiritually dead in sin, God's mercy moved Him to make us alive together with Christ. Mercy is not reluctant or stingy in God; it flows abundantly from His loving character. Throughout the Old Testament, God repeatedly showed mercy to Israel despite their constant rebellion and unfaithfulness.
Jesus elevated mercy as a central value of the kingdom of God. In the Beatitudes, He declared that the merciful are blessed because they will obtain mercy. He told the parable of the unmerciful servant to show that those who have received God's enormous mercy are obligated to extend mercy to others. The Pharisees' failure was that they emphasized sacrifice over mercy, justice over compassion.
Micah 6:8 summarizes what God requires: to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. Notice that we are not merely to practice mercy but to love it, to delight in showing compassion to those who do not deserve it. This mirrors God's own heart, for He delights in mercy (Micah 7:18).
Key Bible Verses
“It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
— Lamentations 3:22-23
“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”
— Matthew 5:7
“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
— Micah 6:8
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”
— Ephesians 2:4-5
Practical Application
- Begin each morning by thanking God for His new mercies, recognizing that every day is an undeserved gift.
- When someone wrongs you, choose mercy over retaliation, remembering how much mercy God has shown you.
- Look for practical ways to show mercy to people in your community who are suffering, struggling, or marginalized.
- Teach your children the difference between mercy and justice, helping them understand why both are important to God.
- When you are tempted to be harsh or judgmental, recall the parable of the unmerciful servant and how much you have been forgiven.
Family Discussion & Activity
Discussion Questions
- ? What is the difference between mercy and grace?
- ? Can you think of a time when someone showed you mercy when you deserved punishment?
- ? Why do you think God says He delights in mercy?
- ? How can our family practice mercy toward each other and toward people in our community?
Family Activity
This week, look for examples of mercy in your daily lives. Share one example at dinner each night and talk about how the Bible's teachings on mercy can guide your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between mercy and grace?
Mercy is not receiving the punishment you deserve. Grace is receiving the blessing you do not deserve. Both are essential to the gospel: God withholds His wrath from sinners (mercy) and gives them eternal life as a free gift (grace). They work together as expressions of God's love.
Does showing mercy mean there are no consequences for wrong actions?
No. Mercy does not eliminate all consequences. God showed mercy to David after his sin with Bathsheba by forgiving him, but there were still consequences for his actions. Mercy can coexist with accountability. Showing mercy means responding with compassion rather than vengeance, not ignoring wrongdoing entirely.
How does God's mercy relate to His justice?
God's mercy and justice meet at the cross. God could not simply overlook sin because He is just, but He could provide a substitute to bear the penalty. Christ's death satisfied God's justice while making mercy available to all who believe. The cross demonstrates that God is both perfectly just and perfectly merciful.
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