“And we bring you good tidings of the promise made unto the fathers...” (Acts 13:32)

Vol. XIII October 10, 2004 No. 41 “Forsaking Our Mercy” Jerry Fite

n Jonah’s prayer he af- is absolute, faithful and able to free learned that God’s mercy is firms, “They that re- us from sin and satisfy our spiri- there for us when we come to gard lying vanities for- tual and physical needs. our senses and turn from our re- sake their own bellion. mercy” (Jonah 2:8). Jonah reminds us that nec- essary cause and effect relation- Following after our vain Idolatry is described in ships exist in the spiritual realm as wisdom, we forsake our “own” Scripture as lying vanities. “...Our they do in the physical. However, mercy. Mercy is personal. It is fathers have inherited nought but many never reflect on what Jonah one thing to speak of mercy lies, even vanity and things sees. They see serving Jehovah as given to people in general, and wherein there is no profit. Shall a a cause effecting self-denial and a quite another to speak of mercy man make unto himself gods, rather restrictive life as one allows given to “me”. David recog- which yet are no gods?” (Jer God to rule over all their affairs. nized God to be “merciful and 16:19-20). Idols are vain for they As Jonah learned, duties before Je- gracious”, and cries out, “oh are powerless to act on their own, hovah must be completed. You turn unto me, and have mercy much less deliver their worship- cannot run away from them with on me…” (Psalms 88:15, 16). pers from trouble. When the mo- impunity. Today, there are It is comforting to know that ment of truth comes, as it did for “musts” and “cannots” in serving God gives mercy individually. the worshippers of Baal, there is God in Christ. So, many turn “neither voice, nor any to answer, away from this life authored by Dear reader, we encour- nor any that regarded” (I Kings God. All they can see is forsaking age you to trust and obey God. 18:29). When Jehovah delivered pleasures. But they are not run- Jesus is not trying to make your Jonah, the prophet understood and ning away from an impossible life life difficult when he pleads, gladly confessed, “Salvation is of style, they are forsaking mercy. “Come unto me, all ye that la- Jehovah” (Jonah 2:9). This is a necessary consequence of bor and are heavy laden… Take regarding our lying vanities. my yoke upon you and learn of The objects of our covet- me”, but is revealing how He ousness are our idols (Col. 3:5). God’s mercy is a synonym can “give you rest” (Matthew Many worship daily at the feet of for God’s favor. Along with the 11:28-29). Paul, the chief of money, power and fame. But they words, “kindness” and “love”, sinners, found mercy in coming are lying vanities. Money cannot “mercy” describes God’s grace for to Christ (I Tim. 1:16). Jonah purchase freedom from the guilt man manifested in Christ (Titus was delivered from death by of sin, nor offer a reprieve on the 3:4-7). Jonah knew that God was God’s mercy. Don’t ignore Judgment Day. It cannot buy off “gracious”, “merciful”, and God. To forsake God and the day of our death. Fame is “abundant in loving- Christ, is to forsake your own fickle. Power is relative. Jehovah kindess” (Jonah 4:2). Jonah personal mercy.