Luke 1:78-79 Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace. Psalm 23:6 ESV Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23 - checed: Lovingkindness, mercy, steadfast love, loyalty, faithfulness, goodness Luke 1 - Splanchna… tender, bowels, heart, Eleos, mercy, compassion, pity Luke 2:7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. GOD IS MERCIFUL… 1. WHEN I . Luke 1:18 Luke Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.” 2. WHEN I . Psalm 103:8-12 The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. 14 - For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. Titus 3:4-5 When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 3. WHEN I AM . Hebrews 4:15-16 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. OUR RESPONSE? 1. RECEIVE THE MERCY OF GOD. 2. ADOPT MERCY AS A FUNDAMENTAL LIFE PURPOSE. John Piper - That’s the reason you exist. It is to make people amazed at the mercy of God. To live in such a way that people can only conclude from of your life, “God is merciful.” Romans 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 3. TREAT PEOPLE BETTER THAN THEY DESERVE. Ephesians 4:32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.