A Look at Psalm 119:77

Psalm 119:77 “Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight.”
 

In the previous verse, David talked about the unfailing love of God. God’s unfailing love is demonstrated through His compassion or mercy. Life itself is a display of God’s mercy. Why has God done what He has done for you? Is it because you deserved it, or is His goodness to you a pure act of mercy? 

When I think back to my days of trying to run from God’s calling on my life and all the things I did, in an attempt, to somehow “disqualify” myself from His call; I cannot come up with a single reason why God should have forgiven and saved me. I was doing everything exactly the opposite of what one should do to get close to God. My salvation, as well as that of everyone else who has ever lived, is the result of one thing: God chose to have mercy on us. Hs mercy has come to us for one reason, that we might have life and life abundant. 

David said, “Your law is my delight.” The word “law” is translated, “teaching.” Your teaching is my delight. What does the New Testament teach concerning mercy? Matthew 5:7 gives us a little insight into this matter, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” God’s mercy came to us to give us life. 

When those who have received mercy show mercy to others, they continue to receive mercy. In other words, those who are life-givers, continue to receive life from God. Having mercy on others is the same as giving others life. It is giving them the very life of God Himself, through your kindness.
 

Can you say with David, “Your law (teaching) is my delight?” Do you delight in having mercy on others (even those you don't like)? There is a difference between simply having mercy on someone else and delighting to have mercy on someone else. David’s delight was to have mercy. If that is not our delight, we are in danger of losing our very lifeline to God. Only those who give mercy receive mercy and only those who delight in it turn it into a lifestyle. “Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy” Jesus.
 

Take some time to let this verse sink in – chew/meditate on it; ask God to give you a heart of mercy.

Continued