The
king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion,
But his favour is like dew on the grass. Proverbs 19:12
After
they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not
permit them. Acts 16:7
God loves mercy. Mercy is of His essence. In
mercy, He is most completely himself and in extending mercy He most fully
reveals Himself.
God is hurt when we reject his mercy for in doing
so we refuse his call to intimacy. We do not yet fully trust him and in
consequence prefer keep him at a distance. We still have fear. God’s response ? Mercy.
His mercy is infinite. Like the rising tide, wave
after ever higher wave of mercy breaks over us. God’s mercy comes to wear down
our hearts of stone not to hurt, belittle or condemn but that he might give us
hearts of flesh. He comes in mercy that we might know we are utterly and
eternally loved.
There is a certain doggedness too about this wise
and merciful mercy. In loving us completely he completely knows us. So mercy’s
invitations are always fashioned with us in mind. He addresses you in ways that
will never come to me for I need to be embraced in different ways. But, however
it comes, whatever is said, the great bass tone beneath everything else is
always “You are loved”.
If we will permit, God’s mercy is most effective.
It is the voice of one who calls in to being that which was not. So it is with
us. In mercy we too are yet being formed and becoming that which in truth we
are – children of God. Mercy does not bribe or force, there is a certain
innocent nakedness to mercy. May we respond likewise with an ever more
spontaneous and open “Yes”.
Gracious
father, we are so disinclined to see our need of mercy. So slow to ask for it
and so reluctant to offer it. Grant to us Lord that we might become a
transformed people. May we become a people rich in mercy, grace and of truth.
May we become like you our father.
Grant
this for the sake of your son, our saviour, Jesus Christ.
N.N.
St Werburgh’s Chorlton
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