Place of Mercy

In the Old Testament Tabernacle the mercy seat (the place of mercy) was inside the veil that separated the Holy of Holies from everything else. No-one was allowed access to it but the High Priest who was allowed in once a year behind the veil to make atonement for the sins of Israel’s people. But in the New Covenant, Jesus has entered within the ‘veil’ into Heaven itself, as High Priest, and will always be there to remind God that He has paid for our sins with His blood. Now we can enter right into the Holy place and obtain mercy and grace to help us in our times of need.

In the Salvation Army Citadel, they have a seat right across the front of the meeting place where you can go and kneel if God has called you to salvation, or to respond in answer to Gods’ call on your life. It’s a picture of the ‘mercy seat’ in heaven where anyone can come. God will meet with us there.

Jesus is as near as the whisper on your lips. As soon as we turn to Him, He’s there to forgive us and receive us, or to heal us. He has brought God’s mercy right down to earth. Unlike the case of the man who was executed in China for drug smuggling, where many pleaded for mercy but none was given, we will receive mercy, because we have Jesus to plead for us. At the cross, mercy and justice kissed each other. This means although we are all guilty of sin, we are able to be pardoned and walk free.

As Jesus said, ‘Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful’ (Luke 6:36) and ‘Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy’ (Matthew 5:7).

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that Your goodness and mercy have followed me all the day of my life, and that I may live in the House of the Lord forever. May I be full of mercy towards those around me. Amen.