TOPIC: But for the Mercy of God
MEMORISE:
“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.” – (Luke 18:13)
READ: Genesis 19:15-17 (KJV)
15. And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.
And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him; and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
MESSAGE:
When a man receives mercy, it would appear as if the fellow is wise or a genius. It would appear as if his righteousness has bestowed upon him divine blessings. What can one do without the mercy of God? The Bible says:
It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. (Lamentations 3:22)
Today’s memory verse tells of the mercy enjoyed by the publican when he begged for it. Jesus said:
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalted himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. – (Luke 18:14)
What prevents some people from receiving mercy from the Lord is the failure to admit that we are sinners and that we need to turn from our wicked ways. It is amazing that some children of God are in the habit of living in a world where the end justifies the means. This is not the gospel. When they are caught stealing, they rationalise it by putting the blame on the fact that they are jobless. Some ladies claim to have taken to prostitution because they are jobless and they need to take care of their aged parents.
Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right…walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. – (Ezekiel 33:14-15)