In His Great Mercy

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

In his great mercy He has given us new birth..." I Peter 1:3a

Mercy: the expression of pity to relieve misery and suffering.

Biblical history says that the loyalty and love for Yahweh were measured in the manner and quality of one's dealings with others - their "Eleos" (mercy). This is the mercy that the good Samaritan showed.This is the mercy that God shows to us when He sacrificed His Son, so that we could have new life.

We host a group of middle school boys in our home every Monday evening for their discipleship group. Tonight, they read the testimony of Joni Eareckson Tada, who was paralyzed as a teenager in a diving accident. They were discussing how sometimes bad things happen to good people, and how God works all things together for the good of those who love Him. (Romans 8:28) They were discussing all of the wonderful things Joni has done with her life because of her paralysis...things that she probably wouldn't have done had she not had the accident.

I was thinking, though, the biggest thing that happened for Joni is that she found Jesus! In God's great mercy, He allowed whatever it took to win Joni's heart...to save her and give her new birth.

 Do you ever see tragic incidents in your life as being allowed out of God's great mercy and love for you?

With the Kids: Read the story of the Good Samaritan. If possible, let them act it out, or use dolls or puppets to tell the story. Talk about how God has mercy on us the way the Good Samaritan did and how He wants us to go and do the same for others.

Memorizing:

"Praise be to the Tod and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

In His great mercy, He has given us new birth..."