It responds with mercy

For years, people have been accustomed to hear me preach repentance and holiness. But they began to question me when my messages focused more on mercy, reconciliation and hope. There is a simple explanation for that.

When I traveled as an evangelist, I did not have the opportunity to get to know the people I was preaching to. I never stayed in a place long enough to discover all the wounds, needs and burdens of the people of God. As pastor of Times Square Church, I was able to hear all the problems and hardships endured by members of the congregation, as well as in churches around the world.

Beloved, I have discovered that the people of God suffer deeply. He is tempted and tried and tossed about by great adversities and great needs. The problems in families are overwhelming. Many sheep groan in misery and pain - suffering, thirsty, spiritually infirm, living with difficulty in difficulty.

God made it clear to me that I can not take a stick against His sheep. It is rather a tender mercy that is necessary. Even the ardent prophet Jeremiah cried out, "Chasten me, O LORD ! But with equity, and not in thy anger, lest thou shouldst annihilate me"(Jeremiah 10:24). Jeremiah said : "Lord, be tender with me, because I am not in a condition to hear your anger or your wrath, otherwise I would be reduced to nothing."

God will never use His Word to reduce you to anything when you suffer. All that He asks of His people is a broken and repentant spirit. He answers with mercy to our crying needs.

Rest in His mercy and love, for He has mercy on His children.

David Wilkerson