Goodness and Mercy
The terms, goodness and mercy are only once joined together with the conjunctive word “and” in all the Holy Scriptures. This is a very familiar passage as it comes from the 6th and final verse of the 23rd Psalm. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. However, both “goodness” and “mercy” are found throughout the Bible in various passages. Both of these terms are important as God is good, and God provides mercy to all His people as the Spirit had the psalmist write. Just before this verse, the psalmist penned “my cup runneth over” as directed. This expression is definitely in reference to the goodness and mercy of God.
We know that God is good, as Jesus stated this in Matthew 19:16-17 as the rich young ruler approached the Lord with an important question. The Lord also responded to the young man’s request. And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. The Words of Jesus here, also affirm what the Spirit had the prophet say in Nahum 1:7. The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. Both of these were spoken during the time the Jews were under the Mosaic Law, but this principle applies equally today.
In Romans 2:3-4 the Spirit had the apostle Paul write regarding God’s Goodness and what it should cause man to want to do. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
Most readily accept God’s Goodness and are equally willing and desirous of receiving mercy from God, especially in light of their pending eternity. But the Spirit had Paul address both the virtue and the seriousness of God in Romans 11:21-22 as a warning to those who would NOT fear God and do His Commandments. For if God spared not the natural branches, (unfaithful Jews) take heed lest he also spare not thee. (Gentiles) 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. This was said of the Jews that once rejected God’s New Testament plan. This also applied to these Gentiles as all humanity is now under the same plan. God’s mercy is liberally applied today as people seek Him through His Word.
Another word for mercy is compassion as Matthew 20:30 and 34 clearly shows. Verse 30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. Verse 34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him. Notice how these men reacted after the Lord had mercy on them – they followed Him.
We can read in Ephesians 2:1-5 how God’s mercy is shown toward man today. And you (Christians) hath he quickened, (made alive through His Word) who were dead (spiritually) in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, (Satan) the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
God has shown His Compassion toward mankind by sending His Son to die on Calvary’s cross to purchase the church. Christ, as promised to the apostles in John 14:26, sent the Holy Ghost to bring His Word so all could see God’s Goodness and Mercy. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. This gives man the opportunity and the choice to follow the Lord and become recipients of God’s Promise to the obedient and faithful.
God’s Goodness and Mercy is available if one will follow God’s Plan for salvation. It is hard to understand why some leave the faith. One MUST first obey the gospel to have the promise of life everlasting. Then we are to “work” to maintain that proper relationship to God. Jude verse 21 advises us to do just that. Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. The Word shows the goodness and mercy of God. Follow God’s plan today. Obey the gospel. Don’t gamble that God’s Goodness and Mercy will “save you” in the end if you’re not obedient to His Word. “If You Gamble – You Lose”.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
