Because Of The Tender Mercy of Our God

Meditations for Ragamuffins

April 22, 2024

Because Of The Tender Mercy of Our God

Because of God’s tender mercy,

the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,

to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,

and to guide us to the path of peace.

Luke 1:78-79

Many years ago, two men were sitting together watching a TV news report on an act of terrorism by radical Islamists. One turned to the other and said, “It really makes a difference what kind of god you believe in.” Yes, it does.

In the text quoted above, Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, prophesied about the mission of his son to prepare the way for the Messiah of God who would guide our feet into the path of peace. How did Jesus accomplish his task?

One place the tender mercy of God is revealed is in John 8, the story of the woman ‘caught in adultery’. Jesus told the crowd, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” After the crowd disbursed, Jesus asked the woman, “Where are they? Has no one condemned you?”  “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:7-11) Jesus didn’t condemn the woman; he set her free.

This theme is repeated in many other parables, such as the Prodigal Son in Luke 15, and the incredibly generous landowner in Matthew 20. As followers of Jesus, we have been commissioned to step into our Father’s shoes; as God is giving and forgiving, so also are His children. Through the miracle of the indwelling Christ in his followers, we can love and forgive others.

My Takeaway: The rule of 7 marketing principle teaches that customers need to see a brand at least 7 times before they commit to a purchase decision. This principle is also applicable to the church. When we love and forgive others, it is a touch that may help them to accept the love and forgiveness of our God. Let’s pray that God will use us to touch someone with the love of Christ today.

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2024 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.