His Mercies are Very Great
David knew God's character well. When he sinned by taking a census of the people of Israel, which angered God, the prophet Gad relayed God's message. David had a choice of punishments. He could choose 3 years of famine, 3 months of the sword of man attacking the people, or 3 days of the sword of God sending a plague. David chose to fall into God's hands, because He knew His mercies were very great.(I Chronicles 21:13) We all need to throw ourselves on the mercy of God at times.
People can be merciless. They can carry out vengeance and hold grudges for years, having no mercy. God's character does not work that way. God's heart is soft, even in His justice. Yes, many people died in the plague, but God stopped short of going all 3 days. His heart was touched by the suffering, and His mercy caused Him to give less punishment than they deserved. That is how God's mercy works, and His mercy endures forever. It is new every morning. It says "mercies" because He exhibits His mercy in a fresh way for every situation. We must not presume upon the mercy of God by expecting it, but we should abundantly thank Him for being such a merciful Heavenly Father.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Chronicles 22-24.
People can be merciless. They can carry out vengeance and hold grudges for years, having no mercy. God's character does not work that way. God's heart is soft, even in His justice. Yes, many people died in the plague, but God stopped short of going all 3 days. His heart was touched by the suffering, and His mercy caused Him to give less punishment than they deserved. That is how God's mercy works, and His mercy endures forever. It is new every morning. It says "mercies" because He exhibits His mercy in a fresh way for every situation. We must not presume upon the mercy of God by expecting it, but we should abundantly thank Him for being such a merciful Heavenly Father.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Chronicles 22-24.