Is There Mercy for Me?

O. T. #380  "Is There Mercy for Me?"
October 7, 2014 
Deuteronomy 5
And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.  Deuteronomy 5:10

LET IT GLOW

I slept Friday and Saturday afternoons. It was not just a 30 minute nap, but I am talking 2-3 hours. Then I was groggy the rest of the day. I had intended to sew a blouse, write on my computer, clean house, but I didn't go any of those things. I need mercy. I need God's Mercy to run to me whenever I fall, fail, disobey, stray away, don't listen, am slow to learn from my mistakes, do other things instead of study His Word. Is there mercy for me? Always.

In verse 10, we read of God's showing mercy. His mercy (kindness in Hebrew), is shown to thousands who do what? They love God and keep His commandments.

Verse 10 introduces the fact of God's love.
New International Version gives reference to Exodus 34:7 (after the second Commandments were given)- And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished; He punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation."

What attributes of God are mentioned in these two verses?

• merciful
• compassionate
• gracious
• slow to anger
• abounding in love
• and faithfulness
• maintaining love to thousands
• forgiving wickedness, rebellion , and sin
• punishes the guilty of sin.

Who couldn't use some mercy from God today? We are all sinner in need of a Savior. Our righteousness is as filthy rags. (Is. 64:6) He has mercy, he shows mercy, for He is mercy.
Then after we receive that mercy, aren't we supposed to show mercy to others? What about all the rest of those descriptive words used for God- aren't we supposed to show those characteristics to others?

LET IT GROW

Before Moses reviews the Ten Commandments, which were given back in Exodus 20, he repeats the four key words (used throughout this book) when he calls Israel together:

• hear, used over 30 times, means obey, to listen, consent, obedience.
• learn, used 7 times, means skillful, instruct, to teach.
• keep, used 39 times, means attend, take heed.
• do, used 100 times, means fulfill, observe. 

Isn't what the Lord demanded Israel still required of His people today? The difference is that we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to please the Lord and forgiven by grace when we sin.  (Falwell)

The basis of God's moral law was the Ten Commandments. by obeying the Law, Israel would be honoring God and opening the way for victory and blessing.

Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the Old Testament explains this about chapter 5:

God gave this Law (Ten Commandments) to reveal sin (Rom. 3:20); to prepare the nation for the coming of Christ (Gal. 3:19-24); and to make them a separated nation on the earth (Deut. 4:5-8). Note that Moses reminds Israel that their responsibility is based on God's redemption, for He had delivered them from Egypt (verse 6, 15)

          You are not your own; you were bought with a price; there... (1 Cor. 6:19-20 )

         The Law must be in the heart, or there can be no true obedience. See Hebrews 8:8-10, Jeremiah 32:39-40 and 31:31.  Second Corinthians 3 teaches that the New Testament believer has the Law written in his heart by the Spirit of God; and Romans 8:1-4 explains that we obey the Law by the power of the Spirit.  (Wiersbe)

Are we striving to hear, learn, keep, and do what God commands us? Do we love Him and love our neighbor?

LET IT GO

Thank the Lord God for His mercy, compassion, and grace toward me.

Show mercy, compassion, and grace to others today.

Hear God's Word, learn His commands, keep His ways, do His will.