THE GOD WHO IS RICH IN MERCY

The people on whom God has mercy

Ephesians 2:4 speaks of a God who is rich in mercy, a God who has met us in the extremities of our distresses as sinners. We are accustomed to seeing ourselves under the judgement of God for our sins, and rightly so, but it is a fact of revelation that God hears the cry of his people when they are in all sorts of trouble because of their foolish sinfulness.

The question of God's mercy is vital. Is there a God who is sympathetic with our concerns? And if so, on what grounds? In particular, does God relate to us at the point of our weakness, folly and transgression?

Human beings, being sinners, have a constant need for mercy and become 'screwed up' when not constantly assured of it. They have no inner springs of life and all external provocations become major; they have no tenderness to offer to others-other than a weak sharing in their resentment and anger.