Living by FaithSample

The Sweet Mercy of God

When God speaks, His word is powerful to transform human hearts. Habakkuk, who had earlier protested against the purposes of God, finds his heart transformed so that he now responds with a hymn of praise. Having heard God’s marvelous plan, Habakkuk humbly submits to God’s will. Though God’s marvelous plan would cause immense misery and bring to end the Kingdom of Judah, Habakkuk still found reason to praise. 

Habakkuk could praise God because he found paradise in God’s mercy, even in the midst of the hellishness of God’s wrath. Habakkuk’s flesh trembles in fear of God, and he is afraid of God’s judgment (Psalm 119:120). Yet, at the same time God’s mercy comforts him and provides hope. This is the same hope that sustained Jeremiah when he viewed the devastation of Jerusalem and wrote, “the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23).” Even in the midst of judgement and suffering, there is reason for praise because God is faithful to His promises and He will have mercy upon His people according to His covenant (Deuteronomy 4:31). 

We are unfaithful and sin repeatedly against God. Nothing in us deserves God’s love and mercy. Everything in us calls for our rejection. Yet, the Lord Jesus comes seeking after His wayward flock (Matthew 9:13) for God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love (Psalm 103:8). In Jesus we are given mercy beyond our wildest imaginations to cover all our sins. It is God’s mercy that we are not consumed. This truth must cause us to rejoice and praise God with tears of repentance, for even though we have not always loved God, He loves us with an eternal love (Isaiah 54:8).