From The Desk of Bishop Charles Opong

Psalm 118

Romans 5

What does the Lord require of you but…to love mercy (Micah 6:8)

The Bond of Mercy

“Loving mercy” gives “doing justly” depth and direction.  The word for “mercy” means “covenant loyalty and faithfulness.”  God has chosen to be our God and to call us into the new covenant of grace.  He has bound us to Himself and we are called to express our loyalty to Him in caring for others as He has cared for us.

The basic root of the Hebrew word for “mercy” comes from the same root as “womb.”  The unborn child of the womb is helpless.  Mercy then is lovingkindness expressed to those from whom we have no possibility of gain.  It’s the direct opposite of bartered affection of the quid pro quo of “I’ll do this for you, I expect you to do that for me.”  Mercy is given to those who have nothing to give us in return; those we have failed, or who are in difficult straits, disadvantaged, weakened, or poor and needy, as well as our “enemies.”

You see, mercy is the very essence of the love that sent Jesus to redeem the world.  When humankind was helplessly bound in sin, God so loved the world that He sent His son: “God demonstrates His own love toward us” (Romans 5:8).

There’s no possibility of loving mercy without having been loved with the mercy of God.  But to have received it when we were helpless and to not express it is to deny our covenant with God.  The Lord requires mercy.  Today, make a list of those who are on your agenda for God’s mercy through you.

Today’s Thought:  Since we never outgrow our need for mercy from God, we are forever bonded to those who need our mercy.