Sue O’Donnell. 06.10.17
“He will guard the feet of His saints.” (1 Samuel 2 v 9)
Mercy is love undoubtedly
A love flowing unconditionally,
A love full of outreach and energy,
A love most extraordinary.
So what is the nature of this merciful love?
Mercy is a love offering security.
A love incomparable, irrepressible,
With benefits which are undeniable.
A love most beautiful in character,
Plentiful, dutiful, bountiful.
“The servants of God...whether provoked by word or work, by keeping themselves tranquil and peaceful, evince a perfect nobleness of soul.” (St Thomas Aquinas 1225-1274)
How beneficial merciful love is amidst suffering,
A helping hand, a kindly word, a friendly gesture,
Assistance offered willingly, generously, freely,
Even to producing results which are amazing, astounding.
Mercy will never threaten,
Nor does mercy depend on coercion,
Rather mercy will suffer alongside, compassionately, gently, tenderly.
Faithfulness being trustworthy,
Has to be an evident virtue, or this love is not mercy.
“Love suffers long and is kind...does not seek its own...is not punished, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth.” (1 Corinthians 13 v 4, 5, 6)
“Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things; endures all things. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13 v 7, 8)
Guard us Lord God, from all the evil that surrounds us and would seek to harm us even to the extent of final destruction.
Let us recognise more clearly the truth the Lord Jesus came to exhibit, that truth which sets us free as mercy triumphs over judgment.
“Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth shall spurt out of the earth and righteousness shall look down from heaven.” (Psalm 85 v 11, 12)
Such mercy of love is shown us in Jesus, especially at the †of forgiveness, whereby the punishment due to us, Jesus took upon Himself.
May holy love in all its aspects, each and every one merciful, edify us, for the characteristics of love and of mercy are of the same substance and nature.
Of essential, vital importance is this understanding: “We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4 v 19) We learn to be merciful Father, as You are merciful to us through Jesus.
May the Spirit help us to practice love and mercy in our thoughts, imagination, ideas, decisions, words and deeds, continuously.
Lord, this is a difficult challenge for us and without Your Spirit enhancing the love of Jesus within us, would be impossible. But You make love beautiful, thank You.
Perhaps mercy should be added to the long list of virtues we are encouraged to meditate upon: “...true... noble...just...pure...lovely...of good report...praiseworthy,” (Philippians 4 v 8) as we can determine our
own thought life.
Let us strive for peace between all peoples, all to Your glory, Father of the Trinity. May mercy be a pattern to live by. Amen.
Images by Artist Christine Garwood
http://www.christinegarwoodartist.co.uk/
Season
Key Themes
MERCY
LOVE
