THE PATIENCE OF MERCY

“However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life” – 1 Timothy 1:16

Another significant characteristic of God’s Mercy is the PATIENCE of HIS MERCY: “The LORD is….slow to anger” (Psa.103:8b). The Mercy of God involves patience: “He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever” (v.9). That God abounds in Mercy means that there is more than enough to go around. And this reflects in His being patient and longsuffering. To be patient means to take a long time to boil – to be slow to anger. Humanity should rejoice and be glad that the Almighty God is not impulsive in emotions. God is angrier at what we do than at who we are. He is angry at sin; but loving toward even the worst of sinners!

If God were impatient, we would all experience immediate wrath for sin. Imagine living in constant fear of doing something wrong! But fortunately for humanity, God possesses great patience. One reason that the Lord shows mercy is because He knows our frame – the fallen nature. Just as a toddler has to learn obedience, God’s children also must learn to walk in His ways. He takes pleasure in watching us do what is right and wants to help us when we go wrong. Paul appreciated God’s patience. His life demonstrated that because the Father is slow to anger, unbelievers have a much greater opportunity for salvation: “However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering…” (1Tim.1:16a). Contrast Paul’s testimony with the record of Hymenaeus and Alexander (vv.19-20).

Another classic Model of the longsuffering patience of Mercy was demonstrated “in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were save through water” (1Pet.3:20). According to the Genesis record, there were millions on the planet whom God was going to soon destroy with a flood, yet He said, "“My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years” (Gen.6:3). God gave them one hundred and twenty years! That is the “Patience of Mercy”! His Spirit will not always strive with us; nor will He keep His anger forever. God one day will reveal His wrath. There is going to be a payday someday. There is a judgment to be faced, unless we turn to the Mercy of God.

God can be slow to judge. He is abounding in mercy, giving us a long rope. A lot of times we think that we are at ease simply because we not experiencing any judgment from God. The world wallows in iniquity; and quite often, we live and act like them. We find it so easy to fit into the world’s mold. Christian youths often bow to peer pressure, which may be messing up their lives. But as long as judgement seems delayed, they rarely repent. Why we did not get punished even though we deserved it, is because the Lord is merciful. We must however not presume upon His mercy. He will not strive with us forever. He will not keep His anger back forever.

Although the kindness and mercy of our heavenly Father lead to repentance; yet those with stubborn hearts are warned of imminent judgement (Rom. 2:4-6). God’s patience will at some point run out if someone continuously sins against Him, submitting to unrighteousness instead of to holiness. In the Old Testament, Israel repeatedly experienced this painful truth. The people turned away from the Lord and did evil in His sight by worshipping idols. God patiently tolerated their waywardness, giving them ample opportunity to choose obedience. Eventually He’d withdraw His protection until they would cry out and return to Him. Ultimately, even when the Lord allowed calamity to reach them, it was still drenched with His love and purpose. Is there unconfessed sin in your life? Be thankful that the Lord is slow to anger. But be wise: Do not stretch or test the limits of His tolerance.