The Mercy of God
In Chapter 18 of The Knowledge of the Holy, A.W. Tozer masterfully presents the mercy of God as an eternal, inexhaustible, and unchanging attribute of His divine nature. Tozer’s reflection on God’s mercy invites us to move beyond merely admiring it from a distance to personally embracing and experiencing it in our daily lives.
The Depth of God’s Mercy
Tozer defines mercy as the goodness of God confronting human suffering and guilt. It is not a temporary mood or fleeting emotion but a boundless and eternal reality. As Tozer writes, “Mercy never began to be, but from eternity was; so it will never cease to be.” This truth reminds us that God’s mercy does not depend on our worthiness but flows from His infinite nature.
Mercy is active and compassionate, reaching down to humanity in its greatest need. It was mercy that clothed Adam and Eve after their fall, walked among humanity in the person of Christ, and still abounds today.
Mercy in Action
The Bible overflows with accounts of God’s mercy, but Tozer points us to its ultimate expression in Jesus Christ. Through His sacrifice, the penalty of sin was satisfied, allowing mercy to flow freely to all who believe. As Tozer notes, “Justice is not violated but satisfied when God spares a sinner.”
One striking illustration of mercy is the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–32). When the son returns in repentance, his father runs to meet him, lavishing him with love and acceptance. This parable paints a vivid picture of God’s mercy: eager, undeserved, and overflowing with compassion.
Experiencing Mercy Today
Tozer challenges us to not only acknowledge God’s mercy but to consciously live in it. Many Christians, as Tozer observes, plead for mercy with a tone of despair, as though it were a gift to be longed for but never fully enjoyed. Yet, God’s mercy is not a distant hope; it is available now.
To experience this mercy:
Acknowledge the Need: Recognize your spiritual poverty and need for God’s mercy.
Believe in Its Availability: Trust that God’s mercy is not limited to biblical heroes or future events but is extended to you today.
Receive by Faith: Boldly lay hold of His mercy, rejecting unbelief and embracing the fullness of His compassion.
A Prayer of Gratitude for God’s Mercy
Lord, we are awed by the richness of Your mercy—boundless, eternal, and free. Thank You for lavishing Your compassion upon us, though we are undeserving. Open our eyes to see Your mercy at work in our lives today and give us faith to walk boldly in it. May we live as those who have received mercy, extending it to others and reflecting Your heart to a world in need. Amen.
A Final Thought
Tozer reminds us that mercy is not merely a theological concept but a lived reality. It is the feast to which we are warmly invited. Let us not stand outside in unbelief but enter in with joy, knowing that God’s mercy is ours through Jesus Christ. Embracing this truth will transform not only our understanding of God but also the way we live, worship, and love.