THE MERCY OF THE LORD by M. R. WILLIAMS

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 10, 1868

THE MERCY OF THE LORD.

By M. R. WILLIAMS

I HAVE been led to meditate much of late upon the mercy of the Lord. I look back through my past life, and see such a multitude of transgressions, so many broken vows, so little good, and so much evil, so much misspent time, that I greatly wonder that he did not long ago cut me off as a cumberer of the ground. Truly it is of the Lord's mercies that I am not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

It is not all sunshine in the Christian's course. Often we are enveloped in thick darkness, clouds and tempests, and we cry out with the psalmist, “The waters have come into my soul, I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. All thy waves are gone over me.”

This is not because of God's unfaithfulness. On the contrary it is because he is faithful to us. He knows these things are necessary for us. He allows them in mercy to us. He knows the deceitful human heart never would be purified, unless it passed through the deep waters of affliction, as well as the flowery plains of his love.

The Lord is just, therefore he punishes the transgressor: he is also merciful, therefore he forgives the repenting sinner. He retaineth not his anger forever, because he delighteth in mercy.

Then instead of murmuring and repining when the Lord lays his hand heavily upon us, to lead us to take heed to our ways, we should be very grateful to him, that he does not leave us to ourselves, and the devices of the wicked one. Though, as the apostle tells us, no chastening for the present seemeth joyous, but grievous, if it will only work in us the peaceable fruits of righteousness, will it not be enough? And how encouraging the thought when smarting under the strokes, that “whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”

But let us not presume on the mercies of God, and think “because he is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous "in mercy," that therefore we may continue practices which we are convinced are wrong, and for which our hearts condemn us, and try to make ourselves believe they are little things which the Lord will not deign to notice. He will not approve, and smile upon us unless repenting we also forsake sin.

Why will we compel God to give us so many bitter cups to drink, ere we learn the lessons he wishes us to learn of submission, patience, forbearance, and obedience. It is sweet to live so that our hearts condemn us not. Then will the rich blessing of God distill upon us like the gentle dew; and our peace will be like a river. But we need to examine ourselves thoroughly by the word of God, and see whether we are in the faith or not, and prove ourselves that we be not deceived.

M. R. WILLIAMS.

Randolph N. Y.