A Life in Exile

As we near the end of our look at how God remembers, there is another concept that stands out in the way God remembers his people. We’ve seen how he remembers us in our weakness and as we trust him, but there are also many verses that point to how God remembers us with mercy.

Mercy is the act of treating a person in the way they do not deserve. A criminal knows he deserves punishment but cries for mercy from the court. We, who have all fallen short of the glory of God because of sin, deserve death. In Christ, God shows us mercy.

For many of us, this is only seen in the New Testament—after all, that’s where we see grace in action by the sacrifice of Christ Jesus on the cross. You might be surprised then, that all the passages today are found in the Old Testament. Why? Because God has always been showing his mercy to a sinful and rebellious people, even as they claim him as their God.

Lord, I have heard the report about you; Lord, I stand in awe of your deeds. Revive your work in these years; make it known in these years. In your wrath remember mercy! (Habakkuk 3:2 CSB)

Remember us with mercy as we do good.

Nehemiah had a hard task—rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem using the mostly unskilled labor of returning exiles and under the constant attacks by their enemies. As he struggled but pressed on in doing what God had called him to do, he asked for the Lord to remember him with mercy.

Then I instructed the Levites to purify themselves and guard the city gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy.

Remember me for this also, my God, and look on me with compassion according to the abundance of your faithful love.

So I purified them from everything foreign and assigned specific duties to each of the priests and Levites. I also arranged for the donation of wood at the appointed times and for the firstfruits.

Remember me, my God, with favor. (Nehemiah 13:22, 30-31)

The Levites had defiled their ranks by taking foreign wives and bringing shame on the cause of God. Nehemiah worked hard to make things right. He not only wanted the Lord to see what he had done, but prayed for mercy, as he knew there could still be problems ahead.

The work we do for God is never perfect. Sometimes we mess things up, even though our intentions are good. I’m thankful for God’s mercy as he remembers us.

Remember us with mercy when we struggle.

There are moments we all fear death. There are times when we are ridiculed for our beliefs. We can be comforted in these and other struggles of life, knowing that we have a God who is merciful and remembers our limitations.

What courageous person can live and never see death? Who can save himself from the power of Sheol? Selah

Lord, where are the former acts of your faithful love that you swore to David in your faithfulness?  Remember, Lord, the ridicule against your servants—in my heart I carry abuse from all the peoples— how your enemies have ridiculed, Lord, how they have ridiculed every step of your anointed. (Psalm 89:48-51)

We can rest knowing that the Lord to whom we cry in our struggles, hears and remembers us. He shows us mercy.

Remember me, Lord, when you show favor to your people… When he heard their cry, he took note of their distress, remembered his covenant with them, and relented according to the abundance of his faithful love. (Psalm 106:4, 44-45)

In his mercy, he blesses us when he remembers us.

The greatest thing about the mercy of God is that instead of wrath, we receive blessing. How undeserving are we to be remembered by him at all! In this final point, find comfort, hope, and peace in the knowledge that the Lord blesses those who have faith and trust in him.

Israel, trust in the Lord! He is their help and shield. House of Aaron, trust in the Lord! He is their help and shield. You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord! He is their help and shield. The Lord remembers us and will bless us. He will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron; he will bless those who fear the Lord—small and great alike. (Psalm 115:9-13)

Thank the Lord for his great mercy.

Grace and Peace

If you missed the last Friday Focus post, click HERE, or start from the Beginning.