The Old Testament God of Compassion and Mercy

SI Filings

Exodus 34:6-7 “It is truly amazing to discover, therefore, that the first thing God had determined to reveal to us about His name (or character) was that He is merciful.” - Ligonier

Discussion

The Whale and the Cow: Surprising Mercy in Jonah’s Story

SI Filings

“If Jonah is right to have compassion on the plant, is not the Lord’s right to have compassion on a city of more than 120,000 people, along with much cattle? Now, with the context settled, we can get back to our question: Why does the Lord mention cattle?” - Desiring God

Discussion

Showing Mercy in A Feeding Frenzy

SI Filings

“God calls us to share the world, to share our homes, and to share our churches with people who are weak…. And we ought to be gentle and patient and merciful in those weaknesses.” - Challies

Discussion

Wide Mercy, Wide Prayers: For the Salvation of All People (1 Tim 2:1–7)

Bob Gonzales

One of the primary ways the church advances the kingdom of God is through corporate prayer. And when God’s people gather at the throne of grace, they shouldn’t limit their prayers to the elect. They should pray for all people. Why? Because there’s a wideness in God’s mercy. While his special grace secures the repentance of some, his common grace solicits the repentance of many.1 Thus, there’s a real sense in which our heavenly Father desires, provides for, and pursues the salvation of all people.

Discussion

From the Archives – Jonah: The Runaway Prophet

Guest

Jonah is “a paradox: a prophet of God, and yet a runaway from God: a man drowned, and yet alive: a preacher of repentance, yet one that repines at repentance.”1

Discussion

Forgiveness

SharperIron

A sermon delivered on Sunday, May 20, 1855 by C.H. Spurgeon at Exeter Hall.

“I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.”—Isaiah 43:25

Discussion

Leniency vs. mercy in Oregon’s juvenile justice system

SI Filings

“ ‘When basic long-term needs are not being met—food, shelter, safety, nurturing, etc.—young people will begin to think only short-term,’ Kelly said, adding that Christians ‘need to advocate for a proportional response that balances society’s need for accountability with restoration, forgiveness, and most of all, genuine understanding.’” - WORLD

Discussion

God Is Merciful: Reflections on 2020

Aaron Blumer

I feel like I’m way out of sync. For me, 2020 was a year of unexpected blessing. Though some of what follows is probably in the category of self-indulgent (and boring) oversharing, I mostly mean it as an expression of thankfulness for undeserved mercies.

Work & Tech

In 2020, my work conditions improved a lot, as did the commute (home office!). At the same time, my work relationships—my connectedness to my peers—also improved, the reverse of what’s supposed to happen in a work-from-home dynamic.

Discussion