Living with Tozer's God

Blogpost #33

Chapter 15: The Mercy of God (Pt. 1)

"For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy;

mercy triumphs over judgment."

James 2:13 NASU

"...this man went down to his house justified rather than the other."

Luke 18:14b

And he likely didn't even know it. There is no indication that anything changed in the physical realm of the man's life. But something had changed. This man had found grace. How do we know? The "Judge of all the earth" has said so. Who was this man who now had the stamp of divine favor on him? He was the man who begged for mercy.

He was a despised man, a traitor to his people, a pawn of the Roman government. He was an IRS agent, a tax-gatherer. Have you ever gotten a letter from the IRS or a knock on your door from an agent? If so, you know the first reaction is usually fear, then anger, then loathing. It's the way it's always been.

This man was employed by the Roman government and charged with the duty of collecting taxes/ tribute from the Jews. The problem was, he was also a Jew, hence, an enemy and traitor. It was also common for tax-gatherers to collect more than they should and enrich themselves in the process. So, in the minds of the Jews, he was also a thief. And the Jews despised him for it. But in his heart, the tax man knew what he was and he knew his need before God. His plea was simple and heartfelt.

Who was the "other man"? He was a Pharisee. Rich, proud and righteous...at least in his own eyes. He had all the tools and trappings of success. He was well-educated, admired by most, rich, diligent in his religious duties. Anyone who looked at him would think "this man is blessed of God." They couldn't be more wrong.

Both Men Looked Down

The Pharisee was certain God was pleased with him. He had no idea that his Judge was standing right there. But, when Jesus looked at the Pharisee all He saw was a proud, arrogant, self-righteous man. He hadn't come to the temple to worship, he had come to boast of his own goodness. The tax-gatherer knew he didn't measure up. He was not deceived about himself or his standing before God.

Both men looked down, the one to despise the other, his pride blinding him to his own need. The other looked down in humility and just begged God for mercy. The good news is he found it. He humbled himself before God and found the mercy and grace he needed. This is always God's way. The Pharisee should have known this as well. He was a master of the Old Testament scriptures. Long ago, the prophet Micah had written a simple summary of what a man's relationship to God should look like. He wrote:

"He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" Mic 6:8 NASU

It's really a pretty simple equation...just 3 things. The problem is that without humility, which is the result of a conscious sense of your own need before God, you won't have the heart to be what you should be to others, treating them with justice and kindness.

It was important that this same attitude be in our Lord. Speaking of Jesus' high priestly work and what it would require for Him to fulfill that duty, the writer of Hebrews says, "...He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted." Heb 2:17-18 NASU

The Lord knows and understands our frailties. In a real sense, as the saying goes, He has "walked a mile in our shoes." He understands our helplessness and has provided a sacrifice for our sins. His mercy has over come His judgment. That's why we can sing "Hallelujah, what a Savior."

When the tax collector pleaded for mercy from God, for what was he really asking? Did he have any right to ask? What was the basis for his plea? The truth is, when men are really desperate, they don't care about these questions, they just turn to God. And what do they find?

The Mercy of God

Thankfully, the scriptures are filled with the testimonies of God's mercy. Tozer sums it up nicely when he says, “mercy is that "infinite and inexhaustible energy within the divine nature which disposes God to be actively compassionate.” In other words, He sees our need and our helplessness and His own loving nature moves Him to want to help us. The basis for our plea is simply God's own revelation of who He is, that mercy is an essential part of the character of God.

In the legal realm, mercy can only be exercised on the guilty. When a man's guilt and punishment are determined, then and only then can the possibility of mercy be considered. Guilt and condemnation are prerequisites to mercy. Mercy responds to need and helplessness.

Interestingly, in the Old Testament, the first place we hear of mercy in the Bible is when God gives Moses the template for the Tabernacle. Right in the middle, upfront and unmistakeable was the message that if a relationship to God was going to happen, there must be a "mercy seat," a place where justice is seen to be satisfied so that mercy can be shone. Why?

Because Israel's relationship to their God would be based on their obedience to His laws. Laws they would constantly disobey. Knowing this, from the very beginning, God provided a way for them to restore their relationship when it was breached by their disobedience.

Sadly, this deteriorated into a ritual where the obligatory sacrifices were made, but the heart desire to restore their relationship with God was only rarely seen in Israel.

Israel has never really understood its need for mercy. Because they were born Jews, they assumed this assured their relationship to God. Rituals were sufficient to gain God's favor. This was not much better than heathen idolatry. It ended badly for the Jews.

But, the principle is still valid. For the Jews, access to God began at the mercy seat. So does ours. The fact is every person's relationship with God begins with an atoning sacrifice which He, in His mercy, can and must provide. Israel had their Mercy Seat. Christians have the Cross.

IF we want to meet with God, fellowship with God, know God in any sort of an intimate way, then we must, as Tozer says, think rightly about God. It is not God's nature to be harsh and cruel, but kind and generous, compassionate and merciful. Even when we don't deserve it. The Scriptures bear constant testimony to this.

"But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth. 16 Turn to me, and be gracious to me;" Ps 86:15-16 NASU

Prayer is an act of faith. A plea to God for mercy is a prayer...and also an act of faith. And, we know God responds to faith. David knew this by experience.

"And those who know Your name will put their trust in You,  for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You." Ps 9:10 NASU

King Asa also believed it...and saw God's faithfulness.

"Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, "LORD, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O LORD our God, for we trust in You , and in Your name have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; let not man prevail against You." 12 So the LORD routed the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah..."

2 Chron 14:11-12 NASU

There is really no point in coming to God and trying to pretend that we are not deeply needy people... all of us. We need mercy, every day, and God knows that. Some days we fall short more than others; some of us have more to ask forgiveness and mercy for than others. But Tozer points us to the critical truth: God's mercy is an inexhaustible resource...to those who will humble themselves to seek it.

John Newton, the old slave trader, knew it and needed it. Besides “Amazing Grace,” he also wrote this:

"Approach, my soul, the mercy-seat, Where Jesus answers prayer;

There humbly fall before His feet, For none can perish there.

"Thy promise is my only plea, With this I venture high;

Thou callest burdened souls to Thee; and such, O Lord, am I."

Next time we'll look at another dimension on God's mercy in the New Testament.