As we start a new series of downloads on mercy, let us ponder what mercy is. Let us be forever grateful that God's mercy has been extended to us.
Mercy is the extending of goodness and power from someone who is capable to someone who would otherwise not be able to enjoy such benefits. Regardless of what good things we may have done or accomplished, we can trace our blessings back to God's mercy. As Jeremiah said in Lamentations 3:22, if it was not for the Lord's mercies we would all be consumed.
Genesis 32:10 NKJV
I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which you have shown your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies.
Jacob was preparing to face his brother, Esau who had sworn to kill him. He was afraid and prayed for help. As Jacob approaches God, he humbled himself and admitted that he had no basis to expect help from the Lord except for the covenant God made with him. He did not even try to think of any good deeds he had done to qualify himself. He simply relied on God's covenant which he inherited through Abraham and Isaac. Jacob told the Lord that he was not worthy of the least of all the mercies shown him. He claimed that it was God's mercy that caused him to become wealthy after he started off empty-handed when he left home to escape the wrath of his brother. If we could only see how merciful God has been to us, it would keep us grateful for all He has done, is doing and will do. It is not our goodness but His that has caused us to be blessed.