PREVAILING BY MERCY
(week 16/11)
OLUBI JOHNSON
Mercy is God’s compassion (His being touched with the feelings of our infirmities) causing Him to release a measure of His life upon us externally (this is in contrast with His grace which releases His life and power in us internally through our spirits) through the air.
The mercy of God is released afresh upon all men on the earth daily:
Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV: It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. (23) They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Psalms 145:9 MKJV: Jehovah is good to all; and His tender mercies are over all His works.
It is by God’s mercies we are preserved from destruction; when men are destroyed physically it is because the measure of the mercy of God in their lives was reduced significantly. This is usually because of the dishonesty, stubbornness and rebellion of the heart:
2Samuel 7:15 KJV: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
1Samuel 15:23 KJV: For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
Here we see that God’s mercy was withdrawn from Saul because of the stubbornness and rebellion of his heart.
We must understand that ultimately, it is the measure of the mercy of God released upon our running and willing that determines how victorious we will be:
Romans 9:16 NKJV: So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.
Let’s be clear on this: we must will (Phil. 2:13) and run (Heb. 12:1); but the mercy of God must be added to our willing and running for these efforts to produce spiritually, excellent results; in fact, it is the measure of the mercy of God that is released that determines how excellent the results will be.
So it is necessary to find out how to get the mercy of God in sufficient measure.
Now, we receive the mercy of God at 4 levels:
1. Mercy not to be consumed:
Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV: It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
2. Mercy not to faint:
2Corinthians 4:1 MKJV: Therefore since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not faint.
3. Mercy to be faithful:
1Corinthians 7:25 MKJV: But concerning virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord. Yet I give my judgment, as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord to be faithful.
4. Mercy to triumph always:
2Corinthians2:14 MKJV: Now thanks be to God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ, and He revealing through us the odor of the knowledge of Him in every place.
James 2:13 NKJV: For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
It is instructive to observe that the measure of mercy increases with each level and each level automatically covers the levels below it; for instance, if you have received mercy to be faithful then you would have received mercy not to be consumed and not to faint.
How then do we increase the measure of mercy in our lives to ultimately get mercy to prevail or triumph always?
The measure of the mercy of God released upon us depends on:
1. The degree of the honesty of our hearts:
2Chronicles 16:9 GNB: The LORD keeps close watch over the whole world, to give strength to those whose hearts are loyal to him.You have acted foolishly, and so from now on you will always be at war.
2. The measure of the mercy that we show to others in prayer and deeds of mercy:
Hosea 10:12 MKJV: Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground. For it is time to seek Jehovah, until He comes and rains righteousness on you.
Here, the scripture tells us that when we sow in righteousness: in right-standing with God by the blood of Jesus, releasing rivers of life to others by intercession in the Spirit (Jn. 7:37-39, Rom. 8:26 and Eph. 6:18) and so showing mercy to others; we then will also reap the mercy of God.
Matthew 5:7 MKJV: Blessed are the merciful! For they shall obtain mercy.
Here the scripture shows us that those who show mercy to others will reap or obtain mercy.
So to increase the measure of the mercy of God being released upon us, let us increase our exercise in honesty of heart, prayer for others and showing mercy to others.
As we do this, we will be able to tap into greater measures of the mercy of God by:
i. Asking God for mercy unto eternal life to walk in love frequently (at least once every conscious hour (Mt. 24:42)) in our thoughts:
Jude 1:21 KJV: Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Proverbs 3:5-6 MKJV: Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding. (6) In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
ii. Asking God for mercy when you pray (supplication is a request for mercy):
Philippians 4:6-7 KJV: Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
iii. Asking God for mercy when you pray in the Spirit:
Ephesians 6:18 MKJV: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching to this very thing with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
So, let us increase the measure of the mercy of God in our lives by honesty of heart, acts of mercy and prayer so that we will have mercy in sufficient measure to triumph always
