I OBTAINED MERCY

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 19

 

1 Timothy 1:13

Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor,

and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because

I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

 

Paul was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and very injurious to the cause of Christ; but the Lord showed him mercy as a pattern to them which should hereafter believe.

 

Here we see that mercy is free for the vilest; that the Lord has mercy upon sinners, just because he will have mercy.

 

Paul obtained it without seeking, any one may by seeking it.

 

The mercy obtained, always brings a complete pardon for all past sins, however numerous or flagrant they may have been.

 

It brings peace to the conscience, however troubled or distressed.

 

It produces holiness in the heart which will appear in the life; it leads the soul to desire and seek the knowledge of Christ above all other things, and to count everything but dross and dung in comparison with it.

 

It fortifies the mind to meet, endure, and pass through trials and tribulation for Christ’s sake. It leads to friendship with God, concern for the church of Jesus by string and various ties.

 

Reader, has mercy had the same effect on you as it had on Paul?

 

Whenever mercy is obtained, the fruits and effects of its reception will appear.

 

Mercy I cannot claim,

But since thy mercy’s free,

And I so poor and helpless am,

Have mercy, Lord, on me.

 

James Smith