Rich in Mercy
We love God’s sovereignty for its certainty; He is powerful to do the pleasure of His will. We love God’s wisdom for its breadth and length and depth; He works and weaves all the threads in perfect purpose. And in God’s omnipotence and omniscience He loves to display His mercy.
The great doxology–perhaps the greatest in all Scripture–at the end of Romans 11 bibrefromans11 ties a bow on the revelation of God’s work among Israel and the nations, and especially how God shows mercy to the disobedient. Many Jews disobeyed in order that the gospel mercies might go to the Gentiles, and the mercy shown to the Gentiles works toward future mercy to Jews. “For God has consigned all to disobedience, that He may have mercy on all” (Romans 11:32 bibrefromans11 bibrefromans11v32).
Remember back to Romans 9 bibrefromans9, and Paul’s explanation about God’s glory in election. “For (the LORD) says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’ So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy” (Romans 9:15-16 bibrefromans9 bibrefromans9v15 bibrefromans9v16). God is rich in mercy (see Ephesians 2:4 bibrefephesians2 bibrefephesians2v4).
So two exhortations to confession:
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Any failure to praise God’s mercy is disobedience. Confess your failure to praise the fulness of His kindness.
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Any disobedience is a reason to confess your disobedience and pray to God for His mercy. Confess your sin as part of your worship; seeking His mercy honors Him.
And then by the mercies of God present your bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1 bibrefromans12 bibrefromans12v1). To Him be glory for His mercy forever.