The Mercies of God

Paul in the book of Romans writes: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1) One might very well ask, “Why?” Why should we offer such a sacrifice of ourselves to the service of God? Why should we strive for holiness of life differing radically from the world around us? Well, Paul gave the answer when he said, “the mercies of God.” There you have it – an understanding and appreciation of the mercies of God in our life is motivation enough.

The Psalmist David wrote of God’s mercies in these words: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103:2-5)

Perhaps you can identify with the Psalmist’s list. For example, the forgiveness of iniquities – while not all men enjoy divine forgiveness, it is open to all. Then there is the healing of diseases – Is there anyone who has not been sick and experienced the relief of recovery. Next, the Psalmist speaks of life redeemed from destruction – How many of us have survived a near fatal accident or life threatening surgery or a bout with cancer, etc. And the list goes on but than each of us can make his own list of the “lovingkindness and tender mercies” of God in his own life.

It would be good for us all to occasionally stop and think of all the mercies we have received from the hand of God and let this motivate us to present our bodies as “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God.”

Claude