MONTHLY NEWSLETTER November 2022 Edition With Rev Dr. C. A. ONITIRI (PART 2)

PART 2:

SCRIPTURE FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER: MICAH 7V18-20.

THEME: “THE MERCY OF GOD”

How would you describe “The Mercy of God”?

As is shown in the Bible, God’s mercy can mean His pity, compassion and kindness towards people.
e.g in Mark 5v41 we read that “(Jesus) took her by the hand and said to her “Talitha Koum!” (which means “Little girl I say to you, get up.” (NIV)

In this way He showed mercy to Jairus and his family by raising his daughter to life.

The Greek Word, eleos , in the New Testament (N.T) implies the giving of active help.
The Biblical use of eleos portrays God as one who is deeply moved by human suffering and who has chosen to come to our aid for our sins that makes us His enemies.

God’s Mercy is especially seen in the Gospel and the N.T Epistles. Whenever a person appealed to Jesus for mercy e.g Matthew 9v27, 29-30, 15v22.
Jesus responded and met that person’s need.

Matthew 9v27
“As Jesus went on there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David”

v29 Then he touched their eyes and said “According to your faith let it be done to you”

v30 and their sight was restored.” (NIV)

Matthew 15v22
“A Cannanite woman from the vicinity came to him crying out, “Lord Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”
and in v28
“Jesus said to her “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.” (NIV)
(You can read the story of the Cannanite Woman – Matthew 15v21-28)

Jesus taught that Mercy is basic to God’s very nature and He said in Matthew 5v7
“Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy.” (NIV)

In Matthew 23v23, we see that one of the faults of Israel’s religious leaders was that in their emphasis on the details of God’s O.T Laws, they overlooked its roots in Justice, mercy and faithfulness.

Matthew 23v23
“Woe to you, teachers of the laws and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices – mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law – justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.” (NIV)

The Epistles indicate that salvation itself has its roots in God’s mercy. Ephesians 2v4, 1 Peter 1v3.

Ephesians 2v4
“But because of his great love for us, God who is rich in mercy,

v5 Made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace that you have been saved.” (NIV)

Because we are spiritually helpless, we must rely for salvation not on our own efforts but wholly on God’s mercy. Romans 9v16
“It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.” (NIV)

Furthermore, as Christians, we are dependent on God’s mercy day by day and we are advised to;
“… approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4v16 (NIV)

Linking this with our Scripture for the Month: (Micah 7v18-20) and God’s mercy as our theme; we see that:

1) There is a kindness in His Justice.

2) His love is broad

3) He is most wonderfully kind and

4) His love, mercy and faithfulness are beyond compare.

How do you respond to this?
And I ask you –

1) Are you crushed/weighed down by your own sin? Turn to Jesus.

2) Are you discouraged by pain and trouble in your life? Turn to Jesus.

3) Is your past hunting you and preventing you from achieving God’s plan for your life? Turn to Jesus.

4) Have you been running away from God, searching for life’s fulfillment? Turn to Jesus.

The Good News is that our God is unmatched in love, mercy and faithfulness. He wants to draw you close to Him, wipe all your sins and hurl them into the depths of the sea, your failures, your hurts – not some, but all of them, so that you can enjoy the riches of His grace and love.
That joy and peace is available today.

See, you cannot compare God with other gods: Who is a God like Him?

1) He does not stay angry forever, but delight in showing mercy.

2) He does not forgive grudgingly, but is glad when you repent.

3) He offers forgiveness to all who come to Him.

Today, I urge you to confess your sins and receive His loving forgiveness. In a world of pride and self-sufficiency, you must walk humbly with God.
It is only when you walk according to His way, will you begin to affect your homes, your society and the world.

CONCLUSION:

In that Scripture. Micah 7v18-20 Micah was overcome with praise for a God who could work salvation beyond sin.

The question “Who is a God like you?” is an expression of awe and wonder and is reminiscent of Micah’s name (v18)
Micah means: “Who is like God?”
Micah remembers Gods faithfulness in Judah’s history since the days of God’s promise to Abraham.

Listen:

1) Ashur, the national god of Assyria is now unknown, but the God of Israel still reigns!

2) Ninevah, the capital of Assyria lies beneath the soil of the ages, but Jerusalem abides.

The Lord may judge His people, but He utterly destroys the enemies of His people.

So:
V18 “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.

V19
You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

V20 .
You will be faithful to Jacob and show love to Abraham, as you pledged on oath to our ancestors in days long ago.” (NIV)

There is non like You Lord.
It is of your mercies that we are not consumed because your compassion fail not. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness (Lamentation 3v22-23)

God’s mercy never expires.
They are new every morning in that they are perpetual and always available to those in need. His compassion is poured out from an infinite store, His mercy will never run out.

SHALOM!