“For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”
(Romans 9:15)
The mercy of God is such a complex doctrine that several different Hebrew and Greek words are used in our English translation to express its many dimensions—words like compassion, lovingkindness, favor, and steadfast love. A simple biblical definition of mercy would be God’s undeserved kindness and compassion.
Mercy is ours only because God wills to give it, for it is utterly undeserved.[1] Mercy is received because the Lord desires to bestow certain blessings and gifts to us. Among these are election, redemption, justification, sanctification, glorification, and all spiritual gifts. Man cannot produce these gifts, nor can angels gift them to mankind; they are the work of God alone.
Therefore, when we look elsewhere for help in any of these matters—whether to saints, angels, ministers, ordinances, or our own supposed merits—we void the grace of God in our experience of them. The ministry of the Word, the ordinances, and all means of grace do not work by any power in themselves; they are effective only by the power of God working through them when and where He pleases.
Fire always burns and water always wets because God gave them natural properties that always act the same way. But the preaching of the Word does not convert every person who hears it. One man hears and remains unchanged, while another hears and is converted. The difference is not in the Word, nor in the preacher, nor in the hearer’s natural ability, but in the grace of God. As Paul tells us in Romans 9:16, “So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” And again, when many heard the apostles preach, only Lydia believed, because “the Lord opened her heart” (Acts 16:14).
Sometimes God even works without means, to show that salvation is entirely in His hand. John the Baptist was sanctified from the womb. The thief on the cross was converted at the point of death. Saul was converted while he was on his way to persecute the church. In all these cases, God showed that He is not bound to means, but can work above means, outside of means, or contrary to means, so that all may know that salvation is of the Lord.
Another reason that mercy must be sought from God alone is because the creature is full of vanity, emptiness, and weakness. The Scripture says that those who trust in lies make lies their refuge. Creatures fail. As natural beings, we cannot effect spiritual outcomes because they are beyond our natural ability.
And yet, one common sin of the human heart is trusting in the creature instead of trusting in God. People trust in their own goodness, their own works, their own decisions, their own strength, their own wisdom, or in other people, instead of resting on the mercy of God.
Salvation cannot be earned, deserved, nor produced by human effort. It is given by God. And unless we come to God as a sinner, confessing our sin and trusting in His mercy alone, we cannot be saved.
Contemplations:
- The Illusion of Trusting in Myself. Lord, I confess that I often trust my own understanding, my plans, my efforts, and my strength. I act as though my life depends on my wisdom and my ability, when in truth it depends entirely on Your mercy. Forgive me for the pride that thinks I can manage life, sin, and salvation by my own strength, when Your Word says that it is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God who shows mercy.
- The Sin of Trusting in Creatures. Father, I confess that I often look to people, circumstances, and outward things for security and help more than I look to You. I am quick to rely on what I can see and slow to rely on You whom I cannot see. Forgive me for making the creature my refuge instead of You, my true refuge and portion.
- The Dangers of Forgetting That Mercy Is Free. Lord, I sometimes think and live as though Your mercy must be earned or maintained by my performance. When I do well, I become proud. When I fail, I despair, which shows that I’m trusting in myself instead of in Your mercy. Your Word teaches that mercy is given according to Your will, not according to my worth, so help me rest in Your mercy alone.
- Confession of Not Resting in God Alone. Father, I confess that I am often anxious, worried, and restless because I’m not resting in You as I should. If mercy, grace, and every spiritual blessing come from You alone, then I should seek them from You alone and rest in You alone. Forgive my anxious heart and teach me to say with the Psalmist, “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee… God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever” (Ps. 73:25-26).
Prayer (Confession)
Merciful Father, I confess that I have not trusted in Your mercy as I should. Your Word teaches that it is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God who shows mercy, yet I often live as though everything depends on me. I trust my strength, my understanding, my plans, and my efforts, instead of resting in Your grace.
I confess that I often look to the creature for refuge. I look to people, to circumstances, and to my own abilities for help and security, instead of looking first and chiefly to You. Your Word says that the creature is vanity and that those who trust in lies make lies their refuge, yet I have often trusted what I can see instead of trusting You.
I confess that I have not lived as one who believes that salvation is entirely of grace. I have sometimes been proud when things went well, and discouraged when I failed, because I was looking at myself instead of looking to Christ. Forgive me for this pride and unbelief.
Teach me to depend on You for all things. Teach me to seek mercy from You, grace from You, strength from You, and wisdom from You. Teach me to rest in You as my portion, my strength, and my refuge. Let me not trust in the creature, but in the living God, who gives mercy according to His will.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Further Scripture References for Rom. 9:15:
Exod. 33:19; Titus 3:5; Eph. 2:8; Dan. 9:18
[1] George Gipps, God Is Our Refuge and Our Strength, eBook (Crossville, TN: Puritan Publications, 2016).
