I have a sort-of silly question: Does God's mercy ever run out? I mean like I know that He is everlastingly patient, but what about his mercy? Like, there are times in my life where I'm not giving him enough of me. I'm not giving Him all of me. I know He will accept what I give Him like as a father accepts his child's scribblings and have mercy upon me. But He talks in Genesis about how His grace will not strive with us always. I was just wondering about mercy in particular. I'm not asking this to discourage you in any way, please do not get me wrong. I'm just wondering. =/ Thanks for posting this post, by the way. It encourages me in my walk with the Lord.

Jocelyn,

To date, I have not found a single verse that indicates that God's mercy is always continually upon us. We're told that it is "very great" and "His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation", but as far as I have learned the Bible never gives us full assurance of God's mercy given to us.

However, since he is an infinite God, His mercy cannot "run out"--his attributes, like himself, are eternal because God is eternal and unchanging. In Psalm 51 David wrote, "Have mercy on me, oh God, according to Your unfailing love." So mercy, it seems, is something that the Lord extends to "those who fear Him" and that He gives according to his other attributes.

Remember that our God is full of mercy, and he is "greater than our hearts and knows all things". Thus, He will make a right judgment on when to grant mercy, seen through the blood of Christ. James makes it clear that "we all fall in many ways", so sister, do not be disheartened or fearful because of your shortcomings. Rather, entrust yourself to God and seek after Him, and He will do what is pleasing in His sight.

The word 'mercy' is closely tied in with 'grace', which seems to be a part of what you're asking. Let me bring up the subject of Jesus' death on the cross. He died for us while we were still sinners, without any righteousness or any desire to know him--utterly devoid of anything good and full or rebellious sin. Now since God in His gracious mercy sent His Son to bear our sins and God's wrath so that we might receive His grace and be adopted as sons and daughters into the kingdom of heaven, since He did all this--while we were still sinners--how much more will His mercy and grace abound in those who believe and have been saved through Christ!

The verse you mentioned is in Genesis 6:3, and so far I have not found the word 'grace' in any of the versions. "Then the Lord said, 'My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.'" This declaration came about right after men who were walking with the Lord went off and married women who, as far as I can tell, were unbelievers. The chapter goes on to say that the Lord saw that every intent of the man's hearts was only evil, and he was sorry he made man. It all leads up to the Great Flood.

So I encourage you that God's Spirit refusing to strive with us is not a mandate to abide by today, rather, it stands as a sompber reminder of the wrath and seperation from God that we deserve; yet it ultimately fell upon Jesus.

I hope that answered your question, if not, let me know. I'm glad you asked. :)

Wow, that's an awesome post! It's really convicting. Thanks for posting it!

Devorah =)

Oh, oopsie =/ I botched that verse up...thanks for correcting that. And thank you also for thoroughly answering my question. I really do appreciate it. It did encourage me...I was just wondering because I was just so confused...my pastor mentioned that verse to our church as a warning and he added something about grace and I guess I got it all mixed up. I keep messing up in life...in my relationships with people and especially with God and wondered if His mercy would ever stop because I do need His mercy to survive everyday. Thanks again!! God Bless!