Developing Faith for the mercies of God

In last week’s teaching we came to understand through the word of God that God’s mercy is following us, we also understand that the mercy of God brings all the benefits of God’s presence into our lives.

The question that we should all be asking then is why are we not experiencing all of God’s benefits.

The answer is simple. You see it is not enough to have God’s mercy directed towards us. Like every thing else in the Christian life, your faith activates that mercy to bring it into manifestation.

The Bible is full of promises for believers – promises of healing, abundance, peace, safety, and so much more. Yet most believers never see those promises become a reality in their lives because they never develop faith for those promises. Faith is the Key.

Ephesians 2:8 tells us it is by faith that we are saved:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourself: it is the gifts of God.

According to Colossians 2:6,7, we must live the Christian life the same way we got saved:

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught…

In other words, you successfully live the Christian life the same way you started it – by faith.

Romans 1:17 echoes this truth:

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith.

Now you can begin to see why so few Christians experience the benefits of God’s abundant mercies. They have no faith either to receive these benefits or to live in them. On the contrary, they have faith in the idea that God is mad at them that he is "out to get them" that he is just looking for an opportunity to zap them. Is it any wonder then that so few believers can really understand the mercies of God?

The good news is, you can make a change in your life starting right now. How? According to Romans 10:17, by hearing the word!

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

In the previous teaching, we got a small sampling of what the word has to say regarding God’s mercy. We saw Scripture after Scripture declaring how God’s mercy endureth forever. In fact, this phrase is repeated forty-two times in the Old Testament alone.

We also discovered that God’s mercy is over all his works. And that God’s mercy is in hot pursuit of you.

You need to meditate on these Scriptures and get these truths deeply into your spirit. As you hear the Word concerning God’s mercy, faith in that mercy will come. Then and only then will you begin to see the full manifestation of his mercy in your life?

Let me tell you, though. Your natural mind will not want to accept the reality of God’s mercy. Both your mind and the devil will be telling you how unworthy you are for God to be doing any thing good in your life. Unless you get a firm, unshakable revelation of God’s mercy, the devil will always be able to rob you of your confidence before God.

Without an understanding of mercy, every time you try to step out and do anything of spiritual value, the enemy will bring up every mistake you have ever made. That’s why it is so vital that you get this truth firmly established in you heart and mind. Once you do, the devil doesn’t stand a chance.

Foe example, when you prepare to go into the presence of God and receive His promises, the devil will try to shake your confidence, reminding you of some sin you have committed. But if you are grounded in God’s mercy, you can just cut the devil to shreds with God’s word.

You can say to him no devil you are a liar! I’m a child of God and his mercy is over all his works. His mercy endureth forever. I’ve confessed that sin and put it under the blood of Jesus. God’s Word says if I confess my sins, He is faithful and just to forgive my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Don’t go around declaring your unworthiness to receive the presence and promises of God. Instead, say you are worthy because God has declared you so. You have been made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus and have been seated with him in heavenly places. (2 Cor. 5:21; Eph. 2:6)

You must realize that God doesn’t see you the way you see yourself. If you are born again, God sees you through the blood of His Son, Jesus. He is not looking at you alone; He sees you in Christ.

To get a powerful picture of this, go to the first chapter of Ephesians and note every instance of phrases, such as in Christ, in him or in the Beloved. You will find the following description about being in Christ:

You are blessed with all spiritual blessing in heavenly places. V.3

You are chosen before the foundation of the world, that you should be holy and without blame before Him. V. 4

You are predestinated unto the adoption of children. V. 5

You are accepted v.6

You have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace v.7

You have obtained an inheritance v.11

You are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise v.13

You have been given the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. v.17

Are you beginning to get the idea that being in Christ changes your standing with God?

Quit calling yourself unworthy. It is an insult to the grace and mercy of God.

Now reading and hearing the Word concerning God’s mercy is vital. But to develop faith in the mercies of God, you need to take another step and begin to meditate on the Word.

Psalm 1 says that a man who meditates day and night on the word is…. Like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper v.3

Meditating God’s word does not mean sitting cross-legged on the floor, humming and chanting for twelve hours a day. Bible meditation simply means dwelling on or pondering a portion of God’s word. You can be doing this while you are taking a shower, driving your car, cooking a meal or even drifting off to sleep at night.

As you are mulling over God’s word throughout the day something powerful will start to happen in your spirit. The word will take roots and begin to bear fruits- the fruit of faith.

All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.

Faith in the mercies of God will equip you to enjoy the benefits of his presence like nothing else can.