Abundant Mercy

Based on 1 Chronicles 19-21, John 8:1-27

"And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall now into the hand of the LORD; for very great are his mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man." 1 Chronicles 21:13

David, according to his own will, numbered the people of Israel. He did not consult The Lord to see if this was something he should do, even though that was very outside David's character. David wanted God to judge him, but he did not want to fall into the hands of men. David knew God had abundant mercy and would deal justly with him for his mistake, and he was aware that people can sometimes judge unjustly and take advantage of the situation. We too must always prefer God's nature & His ways over our human nature! When we come repentant, He comes abundantly merciful! This coincides with our focus Scripture from last night's Youth Service in Acts 5:29, that we must obey God rather than men!

"And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but as for these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, O LORD my God, be on me, and on my father's house; but not on thy people, that they should be plagued." 1 Chronicles 21:17

Not only did David want God to judge him justly, but he wanted God to have mercy on the people of Israel! David wanted to take the blame fully, since it was his fault, and he wanted to spare the people of Israel from the plague & pestilence. Even in his wrongdoing, David had a merciful mind because he had an abundantly merciful God! God is so patient with us. He overflows with love & mercy, but we must desire to draw from that well! Don't leave God behind as an untapped resource, relying on society to have compassion & fix the problems! It's God Who has the final say & the most mercy!

"This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not . So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." John 8:6‭-‬7

The woman found in adultery found herself in the hands of men, ready to throw stones...but Jesus saw someone who was willing to leave that lifestyle behind her. He knew that forgiveness was the answer here, not death...for she wanted to leave her life of sin & death behind her, and God knew her heart when she was set in the midst of the crowd. Did she deserve punishment? According to the law, yes. But Jesus came and took our sins upon Himself, even before the cross...

If she was someone who was unwilling to repent & wanted to continue that lifestyle, Jesus would still have dealt justly with her, but the outcome may have been different. Our repentance serves as an open wound that Jesus pours His compassion & mercy into! I can keep explaining, but the best way to understand is experiencing! Come open & honest with Jesus and be ready for an abundant mercy overflow!!