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Bible >Topical > The Mercy of God

◄ The Mercy of God: Plenteous►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of God's mercy is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting His compassionate and forgiving nature towards humanity. The term "plenteous" in relation to God's mercy emphasizes its abundance and inexhaustibility. This entry explores the scriptural basis for understanding God's mercy as plenteous, highlighting key passages and theological insights.

Scriptural Foundation

The Bible frequently attests to the abundant nature of God's mercy. InPsalm 103:8, the psalmist declares, "The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion." This verse underscores the idea that God's mercy is not limited or scarce but is overflowing and readily available to those who seek it.

Similarly,Psalm 86:5 states, "For You, O Lord, are kind and forgiving, rich in loving devotion to all who call on You." Here, the richness of God's mercy is linked to His readiness to forgive and His loving devotion, which is extended to all who approach Him in faith.

The prophet Joel also speaks to the plenteous nature of God's mercy inJoel 2:13: "Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion." This call to repentance is grounded in the assurance of God's abundant mercy, encouraging believers to turn back to Him with confidence in His forgiving nature.

Theological Insights

The plenteous mercy of God is a reflection of His character and His covenantal faithfulness. In the Old Testament, God's mercy is often associated with His covenant with Israel, where He repeatedly shows compassion despite their disobedience. This covenantal mercy is not merely a response to human actions but is rooted in God's steadfast love and faithfulness.

In the New Testament, the theme of God's abundant mercy is further illuminated through the life and work of Jesus Christ.Ephesians 2:4-5 highlights this, stating, "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved." Here, God's mercy is described as "rich," emphasizing its depth and sufficiency in bringing about salvation through Christ.

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often reflects on the mercy of God as a source of hope and encouragement for believers. InTitus 3:5, he writes, "He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit." This passage highlights that salvation is an act of God's mercy, independent of human merit, and is generously bestowed upon believers.

Practical Implications

Understanding God's mercy as plenteous has profound implications for the believer's life. It assures Christians of God's readiness to forgive and restore, encouraging them to approach Him with confidence and humility. The plenteous mercy of God also serves as a model for how believers are to extend mercy to others, reflecting God's character in their relationships and interactions.

Moreover, the recognition of God's abundant mercy fosters a spirit of gratitude and worship, as believers acknowledge the depth of God's love and grace in their lives. It calls for a response of obedience and devotion, as recipients of such mercy are moved to live in a manner that honors God and reflects His merciful nature to the world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 86:5,15
For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy to all them that call on you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 103:8
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

"I Beheld the Property ofMercy, and I Beheld the Property of...
...Mercy worketh: keeping, suffering, quickening, and healing; and all is... spreading
abroad and shewing the highplenteous largess [159] ofGod's royal Lordship...

TheMercy ofGod
... IfGod should showmercy to such only as are worthy, he would show none at all.
[2]God's mercy is an overflowingmercy; it is infinite.Plenteous inmercy...

God Proclaiming his Own Name
... said 'Be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee,' also cried, 'Why hast Thou forsaken
Me?' The tenderest manifestation of theGod 'plenteous inmercy ......

"We Fail Oftentimes of the Sight of Him, and Anon we Fall into Our...
... I understood and saw of the work ofmercy, I shall... For if he sawGod continually,
he should have no... sight and the feeling was high andplenteous and gracious...

"By the Assay of this Falling we Shall have an High Marvellous...
... fall and later we see it: and both of theMercy ofGod.... For the food ofmercy that
is His dearworthy blood and precious water isplenteous to make...

Letter cviii. To Theodore, Bishop of Forum Julii.
... may'st be justified [464] ;" and again, "For with the Lord there ismercy, and with
Him isplenteous redemption [465] ." And so in dispensingGod's gifts we...

"All Our Life is in Three: Nature,Mercy, Grace. ' the High Might...
... we desire, in His marvellous courtesy, of His highplenteous grace... Thus in our Father,
God Almighty, we have our being; and in our Mother ofMercy we have...

Israel's Hope; Or, the Centre of the Target
... hope in the Lord," and avow their reliance upon a personalGod, who is working for
them evermore; "for with him ismercy, and with him isplenteous redemption...

Psalm CXXX.
... For with the Lord there ismercy, and with Him isplenteous redemption" (ver... Though
therefore he was weighed down with his sins, themercy ofGod is present...

God Willing that all Men Should be Saved.
... Lord there ismercy; with him there isplenteous redemption; with... terror not make
men afraid to sin""God hath no... the work of his hands." Thusmercy is made...