Growing up I used to say this prayer before meals: “God is great; God is good. Let us thank Him for our food. Amen.” (I always recited it in a 4/4 rhythm with Ah-men as the last two beats.) Little did I know that I was speaking one of the greatest truths in the universe with that first sentence.
God IS great because He IS good. For that reason those who know Him want to know Him more. We see this with Moses in Exodus 33. Desperate for God’s protection, guidance, and presence as he led the children of Israel into the Promised Land from Egypt, Moses petitioned God, “Show me Your glory!” God answered by showing Moses His goodness.
Previously God had given explicit instructions for building the tabernacle. Each element, the materials used, and even the placement of furniture held spiritual significance. Incredibly and mercifully, Jesus later fulfilled every part of the tabernacle. But at this point in history Jews lacked the revelation necessary to comprehend these truths.
In their version of worship the congregation gathered in the outer court, priests ministered in the tent of meeting, and once a year the high priest entered the holy of holies. Here we see God’s goodness shining through because the most sacred, the holiest place in the tabernacle was the mercy seat. He could have spotlighted His judgment or His power. Instead, at the very heart of worship, God placed his mercy!
This focal point set the God of Israel, the Creator of the universe, apart from, and high above, all other gods of the surrounding nations. While God’s sacrificial system required lambs, bulls, grain, and oil, it all resulted in obtaining God’s mercy. Other (false, cruel) gods demanded human blood, infant sacrifices, and usually required cult prostitution. They never even hinted at mercy.
Throughout the Old Testament we get glimpses of God’s goodness and mercy from those who knew Him best. David boasted, But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth (Psalm 86:15). The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger and great in lovingkindness. The Lord is good to all, and His mercies are over all His works (Psalm 145:8-9). Jeremiah proclaimed, The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23).
Those descriptions foreshadowed what Jesus accomplished by conquering the cross: unending mercy for all who believe. Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people . . . Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 2:17 and 4:16).
We each need mercy–daily, and Jesus alone paid for it! Let’s receive that mercy, thank Him, and then pass it on to others. After all, we look most like our good God when we show mercy.
