When God Shows Mercy

“So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.” Romans 9:16 NKJV

The Bible is replete with depictions of God choosing to work with naturally unqualified people.

God chooses the weak things of this world to put to shame the strong. He picks the foolish to confound the wise.

In His Sovereignty, God has repeatedly used, blessed, and anointed people who would be naturally overlooked because they lacked the persona, the finesse, and the class such roles required.

Consider how the Lord bypassed army-trained Eliab and handpicked David, the little shepherd boy who had no clue about statecraft, to be king of Israel.

God does this so that the living may know that greatness is not about human ability, but about the God who shows mercy.

The preacher discerned by wisdom and declared: “I returned and saw under the sun that— The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.” Ecclesiastes 9:11 NKJV.

It is God who shows mercy. Look at your achievements and see mercy. Consider your marriage; you may not be the most beautiful or the richest, but it is God’s mercy that has made you who you are. 

Hold on to mercy. Cry out for mercy. Obtain mercy. Do everything you can to be on the side of God’s mercy. Only mercy delivers, and only mercy leads to triumph. 

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 NKJV

God, in His mercy, raises the poor from the dust and the beggar from the dunghill, causing them to sit together with princes. He changes state, estate, and class. It is all by God’s mercy, lest anyone should boast. 

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father of mercies, we come boldly before the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in times of need. It is in Your light that we see light. 

Further Study.
James 2:13, Psalm 103:8, Lamentations 3:22-23.