LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, LORD. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. Habakkuk 3:2 NIV

The blessing of mercy

Happy Valentine’s Day! I was sharing with a couple of internationals about our customs regarding this holiday. Both have the same celebration in which couples give gifts to acknowledge their appreciation for one another. I told them I am giving them to my students on the bus also. In the schools it is common for a child to bring a valentine to everyone in the class, so that no one is left out. One of the men said, “I like this custom of showing everyone they are loved.” 

I thought of  the verse in John.” For God so loved the world (all of us) that he gave his one and only Son (for all of us), that whoever (including anyone)  believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life“ Parenthsese my addition to John 3:16.

Today’s verse in Habbakuk is like receiving a Valentine from God. He has shown his love to others, may He do the same in your life. I think of three things important for the blessing of this verse for each of us to receive.

  1. The power of testimony. Habakkuk had heard of the report of God’s love and faithfulness to the people of Israel. This testimony built hope and faith in his heart to believe God cares and is actively helping others.
    1. The first source which reveals  the character of God’s saving activity is the Bible. He did it once, He can do it again. He saves, heals, delivers and works miracles among us.
    2. The second source of God’s goodness is through the sharing of one to another. Reading biographies of missionaries stokes the flame of God’s faithfulness in the hard times of their lives. It is equally important to share your own personal story of God’s involvement in your life.
  2. The power of declaring in prayer. Praying the word of God is speaking God’s own words back to Him. What a bold request to ask God to repeat His awesome deeds now, in our lifetime.
    1. With Cornelius, his whole household was saved. Praise God, do it again, in our lifetime and in our family. Declare it in prayer over your family.
    2. God revealed himself to Paul on the road to Damascus. He was not in church. He was not at a Billy Graham crusade. He was not engaged in a one on one salvation dialogue. God intersected his life. Please God, do it again for our family members and friends.
    3. Jesus shared about some workers in the vineyard receiving a full days wage at the 11th hour. This was clearly a point  to remind us that some will receive the full benefit of salvation even at the end of their life. God, some will be saved in the 11th hour. Do it again for our family members and friends who have resisted your love all of their lives.
  3. The power of mercy. All lives are broken and in need of mercy. God is the distributor of true mercy as He extends His love of the sacrificing of His son on our behalf.
    1. May your declaration of need rest upon the mercies of the Lord being new every morning and unending.
    2. God is near to the broken hearted. We may not like the circumstances which have brought about the brokenness, but God can be very near to reveal His mercy in the broken times.
    3. Someone was not receiving a breakthrough in their prayers for salvation. Salvation Army founder General Booth responded to their complaint – “try tears”. Mercy is extended to those who positionally cry out for it. Remember the blind man as he called out to Jesus. “Son of David, have mercy on me.” Jesus healed him.

God’s love letter (the Bible) to us reveals His heart of mercy. We stand in awe of the wonders of His ways You expressed Your love again and again. Look at the lyrics to One Thing Remains by Jesus Culture and know this is true for your life also

Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
One thing remains
Yes, one thing remains

Your love never fails
It never gives up
It never runs out on me
Your love never fails
It never gives up
It never runs out on me
Your love never fails
It never gives up
It never runs out on me

On this Monday Mantra, Happy Valentine’s Day, may you receive the blessing of God’s faithfulness to extend His mercy again and again.