July 22, 2019: SOAP #3518:  Isaiah 36-37; Psalm 76; 1Peter 1

Scripture:  1Peter (NIV) 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade— kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Observation:   My attention has been drawn to the mercy out of which our new life has come.  It is not just mercy.  It is not just sufficient mercy.  According to the KJV, it is abundant mercy.  It is great mercy.

It is great mercy because it comes from the One with ultimate authority to an undeserving sinner.  It is great mercy because it actually works.  It is great mercy for it saves one from the ultimate punishment which is rightly deserved.  It is great mercy because the one extending the mercy remains perfectly holy. It is great mercy because the sins covered are not just forgiven but atoned for with an appropriate sacrifice.  It is great mercy because the ones forgiven are made just as if they never sinned! It is great mercy because it reaches to and through people.

Application:  It is amazing.  God has extended to me abundant mercy.  My appreciation can only be shown by being merciful to others.

To refuse to be merciful could be an indication that I truly do not appreciate what I have received.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, the mercy that came through the resurrection of your Son, Jesus, also came through his suffering, and your suffering in giving Him.  Thank you!  Make me a channel through which your mercy can reach others. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!