The Triumph of Mercy
In the beauty of the Garden,
illumined with the rays
of divine glory,
the hand of the Son
painted splendor
as far as the eyes could see.
Darkness fell,
black
cold
bleak
night,
an inescapable veil,
a midnight shroud
over the glory that once was.
The tempter promised
a brighter light
a better glory
a divine essence:
“You only need to reach
beyond divine boundaries.
Life can be found
on the other side of God’s
perfectly holy
perfectly wise
perfectly loving
will.”
In sin’s grasp
there was no light,
there was no life,
just the darkest of nights
and death.
Separated from God,
separated from one another,
walking in darkness,
without hope,
without God.
Would darkness triumph?
Would evil win?
Would sin have its way?
In the darkness,
a flash of divine light,
a promise made,
a seed of hope planted,
tempter’s demise assured.
The seed of the woman
would cut a hole in the shroud
and crush the head of the
serpent.
God’s time is not our time,
generations follow generations
promise
and wait
promise
and wait
prophecy
and wait
prophecy
and wait.
Mary, lowly and unknown,
was blessed with a visitor,
an angelic pronouncement.
Betrothed, but unmarried,
she would give birth
to the promised seed,
Immanuel
Jesus
the Christ
the Savior.
Light had invaded the darkness.
Light had shredded the veil.
Light gave light.
Light gave life
and grace upon grace.
His righteous life,
his substitutionary sacrifice,
his victorious resurrection
his royal priestly ascension,
made a public spectacle
of the enemies.
No defeat in his death,
only triumph.
No finality in his resurrection,
only firstfruits.
No distance in his ascension,
he sent his Spirit.
No question of our future,
grace has sealed our destiny.
Sin is the ultimate disaster,
worthy of divine judgment,
but because of God’s great love
for us,
mercy triumphs over judgment.
“Mercy triumphs over judgment.” James 2:13
***
How is it possible to read the biblical narrative of the destructive power of sin, to understand how it has separated us from God and that it ends in death, and not weep?
Consider how sin bends, twists, and complicates everything in your life and everything around you. Consider its constant trail of destruction. Consider its evil seduction. Consider that sin is the ultimate liar, promising over and over again what it has no power to deliver.
Consider and mourn. Consider and weep.
But you also have reason to rejoice. Because God loves the glory of his own holiness and has a tender heart toward those he made in his own image, he would not let sin win. He would not let sin have its horrible way.
So, in justice coupled with mercy, he made a way for forgiveness to be granted, for sinners to live in relationship with him, and for sin to ultimately be defeated. His holy zeal to pour out his redeeming grace is the most beautiful thing in the universe. Nothing should produce greater joy in us. Rejoice that there is a God of holiness on the throne of the universe, and he has made a way for us to be holy in his sight too.
“Mercy triumphs over judgment.” These four words from James 2:13 might just be my new favorite verse from Scripture, at least this year in my personal devotions.
James 2:13 is an iceberg of a verse. You can see each of these four words on the surface, but underneath is the most gargantuan and gorgeous gospel glory ever! So, I want to unpack these four words with you and connect this life-transforming verse to your everyday life.
PTM is celebrating its 20th anniversary this weekend with a free livestream event, Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment. It begins at 7:00pm Eastern on Friday, October 2, with my first two teaching lessons on Mercy and Triumphs. Then, we’ll resume at 10:00am Eastern on Saturday, October 3, for the final two lessons on Over and Judgment.
Why don’t you join me? Go to PaulTripp.com/Live right now to sign up and get a reminder when we’re about to go live.
If you can’t tune in live this weekend, you can still sign up today to get a reminder link to watch the replay on demand.
I hope to see you online this weekend, as we discover why “mercy triumphs over judgment” is the best good news ever, right here, right now!
God bless,
Paul Tripp
A Prayer for Today: Lord, as I consider the magnitude of my sin and the consequences of my active rebellion and passive indifference before you, I’m grieved by the destructive power it has had in my life. Sin has bent, twisted, and complicated everything, and my only hope is in you. God, I rejoice in the fact that mercy triumphs over judgment, not just in general, but personally for me. You have rescued me from myself and the power of wickedness in my life, and you have done it by sacrificing your own Son. Thank you for your mercy over me, and thank you, Jesus, for putting yourself in my rightful place when you went to the cross. It’s in your name I pray, amen.
Conversation Prompts for Children
- If somebody does something wrong, should they be punished for it? What do you think would happen if we didn’t punish people for doing wrong things?
- When you and I sin against God, we should be punished for it, right? Why do you think Jesus had to die on the cross for our sins?
- When someone gets mercy, what do you think that means? How do you and I receive mercy from God? How is it even possible to receive mercy from God?
Reflection Questions
1. In what ways have you seen the disastrous consequences of sin in your life, both the sin of others and your own sin? What kinds of emotions rise up as you ponder the destruction sin has caused in your life?
2. What consistent sins in your life have promised you life, yet have only caused grief, damage, anger, bitterness, etc.? Take a moment to consider the destruction sin has caused in you and around you, and write a prayer of mourning to God. Allow your words to be an extension of your weeping before the Lord, knowing that you are personally guilty of running away from him.
3. What is it about mercy that awakens your heart and inspires rejoicing in your life? Why is the promise of God’s mercy in your life through Jesus the greatest blessing you could ever receive? In what ways does the magnitude of your sin correlate with the amount of your ability to rejoice?
4. Why is being holy in the sight of God the most important thing for every person in the world? Who in your life do you want to pray for and talk with about what it means to be rescued by God through Christ? What is your plan to pursue that prayer and conversation?