Dear Ones:
The atheist is truly, as Scripture declares, “…a fool.” Now, he may be such because of his obstinacy, or maybe, simply because of his ignorance. But what makes the matter of such enormous importance is the fact that he is turning away, consciously or not, from the ONLY hope for mercy that he, or humanity has. Why is the question of “mercy” so very important to us at this present time? It is because of the Biblical meaning, its basis of God meeting us all, and the specific application to us as sinners before God our maker and only redeemer/savior.
There are several words in the Hebrew and the Greek which, together, give us a clearer picture of what mercy truly is. In the Old Testament, it carries with it the meaning of “eagerness, devotion, kindness, solidarity, loving kindness, and grace.” One author wrote this on the suject of “mercy:” “This steady, persistent refusal of God to wash His hands of wayward Israel is the essential meaning of the Hebrew word which is translated, ‘loving-kindness.” He continues by writing, “It is the gracious favor of the superior to the inferior, ALL UNDESERVED.” Finally, another author writes: “It expresses the affective aspect of love: its compassion and pity.” Look at what David writes about “mercy” in the Psalms: “The Lord IS merciful (…full of mercy), and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy….For as high as the heaven is high above the earth, so GREAT is His mercy toward them that fear Him…But the mercy of the Lord is from EVERLASTING to EVERLASTING upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children’s children.” (Ps. 103:8,11,17) Not only is mercy reflected in the greatness of the Lord, the magnitude of which is as great as His heart, but in the everlasting quality of that mercy, eternal as God Himself. And THIS MERCY is present and active today, having a definite, and specific application to us, where we live, how we live, and what we do.
Again, we need to ask the question: “Why is this matter of mercy so very important to us today?” It is in the knowledge of the mercy of God, in its greatness and longevity, that the seeking heart is inspired, encouraged, and drawn to come to the Creator and Redeemer, to receive from Him His favor and blessing. The believer, who has looked into the Word of God and discovered the mercy of God throughout history, in every conceivable circumstance, KNOWS that there is a hand that will reach lower than the greatest depths of self-despair, and hopelessness. God WILL stretch forth His hand beyond, infinitely beyond, the depths of man’s need and total incapicity to save and deliver himself. God will do this, not because we have some merit. In and of ourselves, we have NONE. God intervenes in the heart and life because He IS love, because of His goodness, and in some respects, because of His commitment to this Creator/Creature relationship. He is committed to being merciful, and to show mercy to the sincerely seeking heart. An example of this was the case of Jonah who, in the depths of the ocean, in the darkness, and filthy wretchedness of the stench of the stomach of the fish for three days, would cry unto God. God would hear this singular voice in need of mercy. Jonah would say this: “…when my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord: and my prayer came unto Thee, into Thine holy temple.” (Jon.2:7) The point is that God heard the singular cry of a heart which had no merit, but which appealed to the mercy and grace of God.
The atheist has no hope in God’s mercy, unless he appeals to it. The believer, by calling out to God, and appealing to His mercy, will receive mercy. He is trusting God for it. God is NOT stingy, but waiting to be wanted. His mercy is manifested like this in Jesus’ words: “…he that comes to Me I will in NO WISE cast out.” (Jn. 6:37) The unveiling of that mercy is further seen by Christ’s declaration: “…And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall NEVER perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” (Jn. 10:28) God, by His nature, is committed to demonstrate His mercy to the lowest, the most needy individual. He came to save “sinners,” and these are all men and women, rebels in their hearts, atheists and all others, who do not believe in God. He waits only to hear the sincere call of the heart. If He can hear the call of the heart from a rebellious prophet in the depths of an ocean, in the belly of a fish, most assuredly He can, and will hear our call…and will answer.
Dear Father, give us a clear understanding of what Thy mercy means, not only in its greatness, but in its unchanging, eternal nature. Give us to understand that Thy mercy is always available to us, for there is not one moment in our lives when we are worthy to receive it. And yet, You are ALWAYS, at any and every moment, willing to demonstrate it, in answering the needs of our hearts. Give us grace to call upon You, and believe in your mercy, this day…and then see You intervene and work wonderfully, for Thy glory and honor, and our eternal blessing. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Love, Dad