- Merciful Kindness
Psalm 119:76
Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort,
According to thy word unto thy servant.
Merciful kindness is God’s essential nature and core characteristic. He shows mercy and acts kindly toward us when we don’t deserve anything good. This promise is according to His nature: out of the central core of who God is He acts in love, mercy, and kindness. This promise toward us is always there for us and always available, and the death of Jesus has earned God’s favor and blessing.
This kindness comes to us according to God’s Word and Promise. The prayer that I need to make, however, is that His kindness will be for my comfort; that is, that He will apply it to my particular need of the moment. I always have the kindness of God whether I am aware of it or not, but I do not always enjoy the comfort of that kindness acting in my behalf to soothe the discomforts of life. This is my prayer: comfort. Comfort me with your word of promise; comfort me with your act of mercy; comfort me with your expression of kindness; comfort me with your Gospel message applied to my specific, unique, present discomfort.
When we want to comfort a family member or friend in a moment of pain or loss or depression we don’t always know what to say. God knows us so well He always knows exactly what to say and do. We know His promise; now we pray for His merciful kindness to be the word, touch, or act of comfort that we need right now. We know the character of our Lord; be bold and believing to ask Him to apply the needed comfort in every time of need.