“It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
–Lamentations 3:22-23
Of all of the accounts contained in God’s Word, there is perhaps ONE which best illustrates God’s Mercy.
This account is contained in BOTH 2SAMUEL 24 AND in 1CHRONICLES 21 and has to do with King David’s numbering (conducting a census for military purposes) of Israel.
“And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah. For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people. And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing? Notwithstanding the king’s word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel. And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of the river of Gad, and toward Jazer: Then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtimhodshi; and they came to Danjaan, and about to Zidon, And came to the strong hold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hivites, and of the Canaanites: and they went out to the south of Judah, even to Beersheba.
“So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days. And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.
“And David’s heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly. For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad, David’s seer, saying, Go and say unto David, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things; choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.”
–2SAMUEL 24:1-12
So, King David (who had put his trust in the arms of man instead of God) realized his sin and God gave David THREE choices.
David got to pick one of those three as a judgment for his actions.
BUT, it was what David SAID when picking his choice that illustrates that, regardless of his many drawbacks, David KNEW the mercy of the LORD was great.
“So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him, Shall seven years of famine come unto thee in thy land? or wilt thou flee three months before thine enemies, while they pursue thee? or that there be three days’ pestilence in thy land? now advise, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me.
“And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man.”
–2SAMUEL 24:13-14
“Let us fall now into the hand of the LORD, for his mercies are great.”
Perhaps NOTHING in God’s Word better illustrates God’s great mercy toward his creation.
“So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men. And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.”
–2SAMUEL 24:15-16
The great mercies of God are NO LESS today than they were in King David’s time, CENTURIES ago.
There is NOTHING too wicked or too evil that God will NOT forgive.
Something for the reader–as well as all workers of iniquity–to keep in mind.
MORE: The Importance of God’s Mercy (Grace)
DOES the reader ever ponder about the mercy of the LORD?
It is not YET too late: there is still time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.
DOES the reader believe he is saved?
Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16
A Reminder: The Gospel is Simple
MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: July 2-4, 2021.]
MORE
- Grace and Mercy Abound
- Without God’s Help and MERCY, There Are NO Souls Won
- Saved By God’s Mercy (Grace)
- The Importance of God’s Mercy (Grace)
- The Mercy of the Lord
- Sincerely Seek the Mercy of the LORD: Do Not Wait, Do Not Delay
- Tender Mercies of the Lord: Will Not Always Be Available
- God’s Grace Misunderstood: License to Sin
- Salvation: Grace of God has Appeared to ALL Men
MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
MORE
- Man Struggles Against God
- God is in Control
- The Nature of Spiritual Deception
- Tender Mercies of the Lord: Will Not Always Be Available
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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
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