God's Tender Mercies
Today’s Verse:
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; ~Psalm 103:4
Mercy is pity and undeserved favor given to someone who is in trouble. When someone is tried in a court of law and found guilty, he desires the mercy of the court and the judge upon him. Mercy extended to a condemned man exonerates him from the charges he has been found guilty of. One of God’s great attributes is His mercy. The psalmist used the phrase “tender mercies” to enhance the meaning behind this word.
His mercies are passionate.
The description of tender mercies emphasizes the passion God has for our restoration, forgiveness, and productivity. The Hebrew word for “tender mercies” is also translated “bowels” and “womb.” It has the idea of being moved in one’s organs for another person’s plight or predicament. It is where the inner person displays great affection and love for another, regardless of what they did wrong. God yearns in His tender mercies for right fellowship and love. In His love for us, He wants us to live and think right. He crowns us with lovingkindness and tender mercies.
His mercies are precious.
Jeremiah said that God’s mercies are new every morning. Jeremiah saw the judgment of God on Jerusalem and its leaders. In spite of many deaths, widespread poverty, and many taken into captivity, he awoke every morning thankful that the situation was not worse. He was thankful for the little things. He said that God’s mercies are new, or precious, to him. They gave him comfort for his grieving soul. They gave him peace in spite of turmoil. They were like the morning dew upon the grass. He found these tender mercies as precious stones for his soul.
His mercies are plentiful.
The psalmist spoke of God’s tender mercies as a multitude. In other words, there is an abundant supply of God’s tender mercies. It is a relief to know that God does not withhold or limit His tender mercies. He gives us more than we deserve. He gives, and He gives again. They are great in number. We do not ever have to fear a shortage of these tender mercies. His mercies are like His nature: infinite, everlasting, and forever and ever.
His mercies are perpetual.
“Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old” (Psalm 25:6). His tender mercies have been with us, and they will continue for us. They are continuous. God never tires of seeing us contrite and in need of His mercies. He never tires of forgiving us. They were with us in the past, and they will be with us for our future.
Let us thank the Lord for His tender mercies. He looks beyond our faults, forgives us, and restores us. He preserves in our times of distress. He picks us up and showers us with love that we do not deserve. “I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever.”
Have a mercy-filled God Morning!
Bible Reading: Mark 15-16