Psalms 103:10

He hath not dealt with us after our sins.

God’s mercy to sinners

I. The views which this declaration presents to us of the Divine conduct.

1. He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve.

2. He has not dealt with us as He has dealt with others. This especially will be a reflection greatly beneficial to our minds, when we enumerate our mercies of a personal and relative kind--our mercies of a civil and religious kind--our mercies temporal and spiritual, the unexpected concurrence of events overruled by Divine Providence in our favour, the staying of the rough wind, in the day of His east wind.

3. His dealings towards us have always been mingled with mercy even in the severest dispensations.

II. The practical uses we should make of this declaration,

1. It should lead us faithfully to inquire what has been the effect of chastening and trial on us. Are we brought to humility, self-abasement, penitential sorrow?

2. The subject ought to excite adoring gratitude for the love, the patience, the wisdom, and the faithfulness of your Father in heaven.

3. Let the subject teach you to cherish humble confidence. Whatever be the issue of His conduct towards you, remember it must be for the best.

4. Let there be practical imitation of the Divine conduct in your judgment towards others--in your temper towards others--in your patience, forbearance, in your longsuffering, in your forgiveness. (J. Fletcher, D.D.)

The mercy of God

I. What have we deserved during the past year? We are painfully conscious that we have been guilty of “sins” and “iniquities,” heinous and aggravated because committed against light and knowledge. We have not deserved the least of God’s mercies. Let us be humble, penitent.

II. What have we received during the past year? The gifts of God to us are as innumerable as they are inestimable.

1. Think of temporal mercies--health, food, clothing, home, friends.

2. Think of spiritual mercies--Bible, Sabbath, sanctuary, means of grace, hope of glory.

III. What have we returned during the past year? The earth has received the showers and sunshine, and in return has given foliage, flowers, and fruits. Have our hearts and lives yielded fruit to the glory of God for all His goodness to us? Or have our hearts been like the barren rock or desert sands, giving no response or return for heavenly influences received? (F. W. Brown.)