Psalm 118:29 – O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
This verse is identical to yesterday’s, but with one difference: “for” instead of “because”.
Because – a compound word meaning “by cause”
For – In return of; in recompense of
It’s simply two sides of the same coin. The Psalmist admonishes (instructs or directs) the children of Israel to give thanks to God, BECAUSE and IN RETURN FOR His goodness and enduring mercy.
As New Testament believers, we should be moving beyond a daily dependence on God’s mercies for forgiveness of sin. Jesus’ blood on Calvary provided that forgiveness for us ONCE. (Hebrews 9:25-26)
Our life should be motivated by His finished work of redemption on Calvary.
When we are saved, we aren’t “just” forgiven of sin. We are also reconciled to Christ, indwelled by the Holy Spirit and now have direct access to Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 9:19-22 tells us our hearts should be full of assurance and our consciences (minds) should be daily washed by the Word of God.
We should not live a life of sin and willfulness, and just depend on the mercy of God to bail us out.
The Scripture says that if we do that after we’ve accepted Christ we have “trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing.” (Hebrews 9:29)
That’s a very solemn thought that I could be considering Christ’s blood as unholy by the way I live my life!
Is that an absence of mercy? By no means! It is the very definition of mercy: “the benevolence which disposes a person to treat the offender better than he deserves.”
We deserve death…in Hell. After salvation, when God deals with us about our sins, He is showing mercy beyond anything we deserve. As if His grace wasn’t enough, He offers forgiveness and fellowship again, when we turn our hearts back to Him.
That should fill us with utmost confidence in our God (Hebrews 9:35). We should have faith in His goodness, His mercy and the promises in His Word.
Our lives should be living testimonies of thanksgiving to those around us. Our Lord is good! His mercy endures forever!
Obtaining Mercy 