Long ago, a poor woman from the slums of London was invited to go with a group of people for a holiday at the ocean. She had never seen the ocean before, and when she saw it, she burst into tears. Those around her thought it was strange that she should cry when such a lovely holiday had been given her. “Why in the world are you crying?” they asked. Pointing to the ocean she answered, “This is the only thing I have ever seen that there was enough of.” God has oceans of mercy. There is enough of it—and God delights to show his mercy and compassion (Micah 7:19). ¹ Hesed is the Hebrew word for God’s covenant faithfulness and mercy. God’s very mercy flows out from His Throne. His instructions to us, as His children, is to boldly come to receive it when we need help.

Listen to the Audio

Click to Listen | Right Click to Download | Subscribe in iTunes

[Tweet “God loves you loyally. Camp on this. There is no thought equal to this in the realm of men.”]

Read the Notes

You can view a basic transcript of this podcast at the bottom of this section.

Accept the Challenge

Each week’s podcast contains a call to action. The Word of God will not produce in your life unless you put into operation.
This week’s call is:

The communion table is a symbol of God’s devotion. The next time you partake of communion and you look at the Table, remember the extent of God’s hesed love and devotion to you. To be devoted to you, to be hooked up with you cost Him his Son. God’s not going anywhere. You can come boldly to Him. You can receive mercy and grace.

Join the Conversation

Each week’s podcast also contains a question designed to encourage testimony. Testimony is vital to a believer’s life. We overcome by it (Rev. 12:11).
This week’s question is:

Question: How have you received the hesed mercy of God in your everyday life? How has it changed your outlook? Please leave a comment in the comments section below.

About Emery

Emery committed his life to the Lord Jesus Christ over 40 years ago and has served as both a full-time pastor and an itinerant minister. Both he and his wife Sharon of 35 years emphasize personal growth and development through the Word of God. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is both the focus and the hallmark of their mission. Read more about them here.

Subscribe to the Podcast

If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe.

 Stitcher Radio                      Google Play

iTunes                                         PlayerFM

Share the Love

If you enjoyed the podcast, please rate it on Stitcher Radio and leave a review. If you have a suggestion for a Bible topic you would like to see taught, or if you have a question, please e-mail me at emery@emeryhorvath.com

________________________________________________________________________

Podcast Notes

Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

• According to Hebrews, God’s Throne is a place of grace.
• How are we supposed to approach the Throne? Only one way, with boldness.
• Boldness is confidence before people of high rank.
• You can develop boldness by understanding mercy.

What Is Hesed Mercy?

• Mercy in Hebrews 4:16 means kindness or concern expressed for someone in need. It is translated as mercy, compassion, pity, or clemency ².

Psalm 136:1 (KJV)
1 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: For his mercy endures forever.

• We can see from Hebrews 4:16 that mercy has an element of pity associated with the Word.
• Psalms 103:14 expresses this thought.

Psalm 103:14 (KJV)
14 For he knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. When you come boldly to the Throne, God knows your frame. He remembers how He created you from the dust of the earth.

The Old Testament Word for Mercy

• In Psalm 136:1 the word mercy is the Hebrew ‘hesed’
• The New Testament Greek word ‘mercy’ links 174 times to hesed in the Septuagint.³.
• Hesed means mercy, lovingkindness, steadfast love, grace, faithfulness, goodness, and devotion.

Hesed Has Three Main Components

• The word has in it the ideas of…
  • Strength
  • Steadfastness or loyal love
  • Faithfulness or devotion
• Hesed mercy is a covenant word.
• It is not an “I feel sorry for you because you are so worthless’ word.
• Mercy speaks of God’s loyal, consistent, and reliable willingness to love ⁴.
• It’s wonderful to sit back on the thought that your God loves you loyally.
• There is no equal to this thought in the realm of men.
• You can sit back on that thought.
• When you do it helps your confidence as you approach God.
• You’re coming to Him because you love Him.
• He knows you love Him.
• And so, you freely obtain grace and mercy from Him because God loves you even more than you love Him.
• If you reinsert the three main ideas of the word hesed back into Psalm 136:1, it would read like this.

Psalm 136:1 (KJV)
1 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: For his mercy, devotion, loyal love, and strength endures forever.

• “Endures forever” is the phrase that makes glad the heart.
• Mercy is forever because it’s a covenant.
• How long is forever?
• It’s one day greater than you think.

What Hesed is Not

• God’s hesed mercy is not sentimental.
• The idea of rejection is never in the word mercy.
• That’s why you can come boldly to the Throne.
• You won’t ever be rejected.
• Never! No chance!
• There is no rejection for those who come for mercy and grace.

John 6:37 (KJV)
37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

• God’s love and mercy are loyally strong and steadfastness.
• The Bible majors on this word because it is a major part of God’s being.
• You will encounter mercy when you come and visit the Father at His Throne.
• God is so full of hesed that it overflows the Throne.

Deuteronomy 7:9 (KJV)
9 Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

Hesed Strength Flows from the Throne to You

• Hesed means strength.
• Part of the mercy component is to infuse you with strength when you come to Him.
• When you are weak, when you are down, He comes to your aid.
• When your enemies try to arise, his ‘hesed’ arises that much more to make the difference and to carry you through.

Exodus 15:13 (KJV)
13 Thou in thy mercy (hesed) hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: Thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.

• Paul encountered this same aspect of God’s strength and mercy.
• Paul was beaten and stoned for his testimony of Jesus.
• Riots occurred constantly around him as he preached the gospel without compromise.
• He was continually on the run for his life.
• The situation was so bad, he asked the Lord to deliver him from all of it.
• Paul prayed about this three different times.
• Here was God’s answer to him.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

• God’s strength infused Paul at his lowest state and lifted him up.

Loyal Hesed Love Flows from the Throne

• Loyal love means faithfulness.
• He will always be there for you.
• You have never come to the Throne and had God’s receptionist say, “God’s not in right now. Can I take a message?”
• No, He is always available.
• He is always ready to hear you express your heart to Him.

Hebrews 13:5 (KJV)
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

• Not only did God say you can come to Him every single time but He also said, “I am going with you wherever you go.”
• When Jesus said, ‘I’ll never leave you nor forsake you’, that means hesed, that means loyal love.
• Get used to it.
• You’re stuck with God.
• He is not going anywhere.
• Religion has taught us that when we are doing well, God is happy.
• When we are not doing well, God is angry.
• That’s the biggest pile of unbelief ever unleashed on mankind.
• Totally worthless.
• No, that is natural human love.
• Natural human love says, I’ll love you if you love me.
• I’ll be nice to you, if you’ll be nice to me.
• That’s not how hesed responds.
• Hesed is loyal love. Isaiah 54:7–10 is how hesed reacts with Old Covenant people.

Isaiah 54:7–10 (KJV)
7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; But with great mercies will I gather thee. 8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; But with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, Saith the Lord thy Redeemer. 9 For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: For as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; So have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. 10 For the mountains shall depart, And the hills be removed; But my kindness shall not depart from thee, Neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, Saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.

• This was under the Old Covenant.
• These words do not have the Blood of Jesus taken into account.
• How much more shall the Blood of Jesus cement God’s loyal love in the hearts and minds of His children?
• Get used to being loved by God.

Hesed Devotion Flows from the Throne

• The word which may best describe hesed is the last word, the word devotion.
• God is eternally devoted to His covenant people.
• The Lord respects you as much when you are feeling low as He does when you are cloud nine with Him.
• God did not choose you because you were high, so He will not forsake you because you are low.
• He chooses you because he loved you.
• He devoted Himself to your good.
• Men may shy away from you when you are down.
• But, not God.
• He is in covenant with you.
• You are eternally tied to the Holy One.

__________
References: