May 10: KNOWLEDGE OF THE MERCY OF GOD

For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him. Psalm 103:11

Reverence—or fear—toward God is the framework for prayer: “Hallowed be Thy name…For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:9,13c) In a relationship with Him, we listen to and speak with the magnanimous Creator of the universe. This world is so filled with criticism that, as a society, we hardly know what it is to think on the higher plain of seeing wonderful potential, instead of flaws, as we view others, or even ourselves. But He sees in each of us a marvelous potential! This potential is realistic, but only through a committed relationship with Him. The God of love is filled with great mercy toward His erring people, in His desire to lead them back to Himself. But this is not the fuzzy sentiment that the world calls “love.” That kind of so-called “love” is actually a great deception and the very thing that helps others to their eternal deathbeds.

Just as any good parent knows that correction and discipline accompany unconditional love and faithful encouragement, God promises to work with all who choose to humbly submit to the conditions under which they can be forgiven and transformed to live for eternity.

God has given in His word decisive evidence that He will punish the transgressors of His law. Those who flatter themselves that He is too merciful to execute justice upon the sinner, have only to look to the cross of Calvary. The death of the spotless Son of God testifies that “the wages of sin is death,” that every violation of God’s law must receive its just retribution. Christ the sinless became sin for man. He bore the guilt of transgression, and the hiding of His Father’s face, until His heart was broken and His life crushed out. All this sacrifice was made that sinners might be redeemed. In no other way could man be freed from the penalty of sin. And every soul that refuses to become a partaker of the atonement provided at such a cost must bear in his own person the guilt and punishment of transgression. The Great Controversy (p.540) by Ellen G. White

Before the foundation of the world, God took the initiative for our salvation. Our response can be to exercise our own will to learn of Him, and if we so incline ourselves, He will send the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of [our] understanding being enlightened, that [we] may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power. Ephesians 1:17b-19

References: Hebrews 12:7,9; Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Matthew 27:46; Revelation 13:8