-1God's Great Mercies

by Marsha Iddings

Daniel 9:18 ... for we do not present our supplications before thee for our
righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.

In verses previous to this Daniel talks about how they as a nation have rebelled against
God, and have been disobedient to Him. He then admits that they don't come to God
because of their righteousness, obviously, they have none, but they come because of
God's great mercies.

There are many religions afoot these days that have this backwards. The people are taught
and they believe that by doing religious works and rituals that they are earning merit with
God and He will accept them for their righteous acts. But the Bible paints a different
picture.

Isaiah 64:6 says, "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as
filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us
away."

If our righteousness is as filthy rags in God's economy, then it doesn't matter how many
good, religious works and rituals we participate in, it won't earn any merit with Him. But
there is good news. We can come to God because of His great mercies.

Titus 3:5-7 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to
his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy
Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That
being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of
eternal life.

Being made right with God, according to the Bible, is all a work of grace by God's great
mercy toward great sinners such as you and I. God does not save us because of our good
works, but He saves us to do good works. Many get the cart in front of the horse. That is
why verse eight comes after the verses quoted above.

Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm
constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain
good works. These things are good and profitable unto men

How about you? Have you come to God because of His great mercies to save you or are
you trying come because of your righteous works to earn merit with Him? He is merciful.
Come admitting your sinful condition to Him and fall on His mercy to save.

Sufficient Grace for Suffering Saints

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