Speed limit signs are not merely suggestions, they are the law and all drivers are expected to obey them. But a few years ago, I was driving on a country road one clear day with very little traffic. I was also inattentive to my speed, however, a policeman was not. After asking for my license and registration he showed mercy to me by giving me a warning and not a ticket. 

God made a covenant with his people Israel that if they obeyed his commands, he would prosper them and multiply them, and if they didn’t, he would destroy them. But they stubbornly walked in their own way and provoked God to anger. Moses is reminding the people that God is a consuming fire and will not tolerate sin and disobedience. Indeed, the Scripture declares that, “the wages of sin is death, BUT the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”          

Mercy and grace are two of the most precious words in the Bible for all mankind. Because God is merciful he withholds his just punishment for our sin that we justly deserve and instead, he demonstrates his grace by forgiving us our sin and withholding the punishment we justly deserve, for we have all sinned and fallen short and therefore deserve his wrath, and instead he bestows his grace upon us which we do not deserve. 

God’s mercy is shown through acts of compassion — saving us from the penalty of our sin, comforting us in times of sorrow and loss, healing us in times of sickness — providing wise counsellors when we need direction and guidance and providentially supplying all that we need in our daily lives such air to breathe, water to drink, food to eat and family and friends to enrich our lives on our journey through life.

Let us give thanks to the Lord for his mercy, which like all his other attributes can never be exhausted. Praise his holy name.

Rev. Bill Monroe, Vernon, Vt.

Extended Scripture: Deuteronomy 3–4 (ESV)