Mercy and Truth
"I am not worthy of all the mercies and all the truth which Thou hast shown to Thy servant."
GENESIS 32:10 (according to Luther's translation)
+
Mercy and Truth
This phrase, however, is well-known: "Mercy and truth." For these are always joined in Holy Scripture, in Micah 7:20, for example, and elsewhere in the Psalms. "Mercy" signifies the specific act of kindness or the quality of kindness, as Christ, quoting Hosea 6:6, says in Matthew 9:13: "I desire mercy and not sacrifice." ["Merciful"] refers to him who loves his neighbor and does good to him, and it also refers to the one to whom good is done, to the one who is blessed with many mercies and kindnesses by God. . .. Truth is promise, as Paul says in Romans 15:8-9: "For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy." Christ was promised to the Jews, and so truth was kept with them. He was not promised to the Gentiles but was given to them by mercy. None of our fathers had the promise. God, indeed, promised that He is determined to be God to all men, and this knowledge has been implanted in the hearts of men, as Paul testifies in Romans 1:19. The works and worship of all the nations testify that to be God is nothing else than to do good to men. . . . God is one who promises, and He is truthful.
GENESIS 32:10 (according to Luther's translation)
+
Mercy and Truth
This phrase, however, is well-known: "Mercy and truth." For these are always joined in Holy Scripture, in Micah 7:20, for example, and elsewhere in the Psalms. "Mercy" signifies the specific act of kindness or the quality of kindness, as Christ, quoting Hosea 6:6, says in Matthew 9:13: "I desire mercy and not sacrifice." ["Merciful"] refers to him who loves his neighbor and does good to him, and it also refers to the one to whom good is done, to the one who is blessed with many mercies and kindnesses by God. . .. Truth is promise, as Paul says in Romans 15:8-9: "For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy." Christ was promised to the Jews, and so truth was kept with them. He was not promised to the Gentiles but was given to them by mercy. None of our fathers had the promise. God, indeed, promised that He is determined to be God to all men, and this knowledge has been implanted in the hearts of men, as Paul testifies in Romans 1:19. The works and worship of all the nations testify that to be God is nothing else than to do good to men. . . . God is one who promises, and He is truthful.
Posted in Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Not AshamedIn Every RespectWe Are In His HouseHear His VoiceTodayBut You BelieveRest in ChristRest in FaithRest in Christ’s WordConfidence in Our Great High PriestOur Eternal High PriestCalled by GracePerfect Through SufferingA Little MilkFoundationGod Comes to UsFaith in ChristObtaining the PromiseThe King of PeaceBlessed by the SuperiorA Priest Forever in ChristThe Forever PriestA Better HopeOur Eternal IntercessorOur Perfect High PriestOur Eternal High PriestThe Better Covenant in ChristA New CovenantPromises KeptOnly The High PriestNot the Blood of Goats
February
Only at DeathOnce and For AllImpossibleThe Perfect SacrificeThe Once-for-All SacrificeOnce for AllForgiven Once for AllDraw Near with a True HeartA Fearful ThingRemembering with JoyEnduranceOf Things Not SeenBecause of LoveBy FaithThe Builder is GodAs Good As DeadStrangers HereFaith in the God Who ProvidesFaith Looks Beyond the PresentBy Faith, Not FearBy Faith, Not by SightFaith That EnduresPerfected in ChristEyes on JesusDisciplineCast His Eye On YouIt HurtsWeak Knees
March
Strive for PeaceNo Fire For YouMount ZionAn Unshakable KingdomA Kingdom That Cannot Be ShakenBrotherly Love in ChristConfidence in ChristSteadfast in ChristOutside the CampSacrifices of PraiseJoyful Obedience in ChristPray for Your PastorsEquipped by the Blood of ChristEncouragement in ChristGrace Be With You AllGod’s Sovereign HandFaithful in a Foreign LandFaithful in the Small ThingsTrusting GodWisdom from AboveEarthly Wisdom Fails, But Christ ReignsTrue Wisdom and the CrossThe Wisdom of Man FailsConfidence in God's MercyGod of Mercy and MightA Deliverer Sent by GodNo Wisdom but ChristThe Kingdom That EnduresThe Rock That Stands ForeverEarthly Kingdoms CrumbleThe Kingdom That Stands Forever