It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. (Lam 3.22)
There came a day when the Lord, "translated the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel." (2 Sa 3:10)
The word "kingdom" in Hebrew means, "dominion, royal dignity, subject to a king."
The word "throne" means lofty, covered with a canopy, seat of honour.
While God gave Israel what they wanted in King Saul, it is clear this was not the Lord's perfect will for His people. Yet, in mercy, the Lord allowed Saul to reign over a "dominion with royal dignity," for a time. However, Saul's heart was never completely satisfied with the boundaries God gave him.
David, by contrast, ordained of the Lord (I Sa 16.1), was the chosen one to be a King over the people. God's mercy is reflected in David as he governs and makes choices for his people. (2 Sam 3. 37-39) "The people understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner..." (2 Sam 3.37)
So it is, with the child of God in the NT. "It is of the Lord's mercies" that we are not consumed. Just as David had every right to slay the man who betrayed him, so the Lord has every right to destroy us.
Thus, one of our greatest bible lessons, mercy. Without Him, we would not know just how big our deliverance from wrath is. Lord, I pray, my heart will be filled with all mercy to my fellow man as Thou wills it. With the wise writer, moved by the Holy Ghost to pen, we may also praise Him because, "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not."
Selah,
Ps. 57.8
