The mercy of the Lord is great! God is far more merciful than we define mercy, far more patient in his mercy than we comprehend mercy, and extends his mercy far beyond all expectations. Take Ahab for example! The Bible emphatically states in two passages that Ahab is the most vile and wicked of the kings of Israel. Hear carefully 1 Kings 21:25-26, “There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited. He acted very abominably in going after idols...” (cf 16:33) In one of his last acts of evil, Ahab takes Naboth’s property after Jezebel has him stoned to death.
Then in an unexpected, surprising turn of events, Ahab repents before the Lord for his evil deed. Even more surprising, after all his wickedness before the Lord, the Lord regards his repentance! The mercy of the Lord is great!
Mercy, however, does not override justice. God extends Ahab’s house for another generation, but he will not overlook the killing of an innocent man. Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” As Ahab killed Naboth, so Ahab would soon be killed in battle.
The mercy of the Lord and the justice of the Lord function perfectly together. The mercy of the Lord shelters us from God’s full wrath against our sin. The justice of the Lord will not allow sin to reign unpunished. Mercy allows forgiveness. Justice does not allow one to sin and “get away with it!” Justice restrains us from further sin. Mercy catches us when we do sin. God is good, and God is right! His mercy is great and so is his justice.
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