Merriam-Webster defines ‘mercy’ as “compassion is shown—especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power.” Mercy gives us room to hold ourselves accountable, to repent from wrongs committed against God, others, and ourselves.
I don't know about you, I can forgive people who hurt me, disappoint me, or let me down. But, there's a line. My mercy runs out, so to speak. I've had friends and family members who make promises they're unable to keep. For me, I make declarations to my wife that I'll do something, but there's no follow-through. She's disappointed, but she gives me mercy to correct my actions. But, again, there's that line again.
How many times would you forgive someone? How much mercy would you show in the face of disappointment? Better question: How many times would God forgive us? How much mercy does He give us?
Matthew 18:21-22 (ESV) says, “Then [disciple] Peter came up and said to Him, 'Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.'”
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV) adds, "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness."
Sometimes I need musical reminders about God's infinite mercy (devotionals and sermons don't always do it for me). With the help of NRT Christian Music Fandom and lead contributor Kevin Davis, here are seven songs of mercy to add to your playlist.
Josh Baldwin "Evidence"
For those looking for some musical pick-me-ups, contemporary artist Josh Baldwin's "Evidence" is your tune. On his YouTube video, Josh says it's so easy to let fear creep into our current situations—especially with everything that's happening in the world (pandemic, political unrest, you get the picture). Our fear clouds our vision. It prevents us from looking up and inward to Him. We miss the evidence, the proof. On His timing, God grants us mercy and gives us the proof we desire: His love. “I see the evidence of Your goodness/All over my life, all over my life/I see Your promises in fulfillment/All over my life, all over my life.”
Micah Tyler "New Today"
Contemporary singer Micah Tyler's inspiration behind "New Today" definitely illustrates God's mercy. In a song devotional interview with NRT's lead contributor Kevin Davis, Micah shares, "I was in such a tough season when writing 'New Today.' This song came at a time when my brother was finishing a vicious 10 months of chemotherapy. His cancer had spread throughout his entire body. He went into surgery so the doctors could determine if the chemo was effective at removing His cancer. At that time, I was walking into writing sessions knowing the song I wrote could be playing in victory over my brother’s cancer or playing at a funeral in victory over his cancer in glory. I tried to be very present and honest in that. Praise God that His Word has so much truth in our hardest situations." That, my friend, is God's mercy. “Help me rise like the morning sun/Help me see that Your works not done/When I’m less than what I want to be/Lord, I need You to keep reminding me/Your mercies are new today.”
Ryan Stevenson “Mercy in the Dirt”
Contemporary singer Ryan Stevenson's "Mercy in the Dirt" draws its inspiration from John 8:1-11, scripture that truly illustrates God's mercy. John 8:1-4 says, '“Teacher,' they said to Jesus, 'this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?' They were trying to trap Him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, 'All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone.'Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust." At that point, the bullies dropped their stones and went home.
John 8:14 brings me confusion and reassurance. I was bullied in public school and high school. In Grade 3, a group of bullies—including my then best friend—took turns slamming their fists into my stomach. At the time, God certainly didn't convict them to drop the stones and go home. Where was God's mercy then? His mercy showed up years later.
I was overweight in high school with no desire to achieve in classes or pursue a career. Teachers, parents, and kids alike thought I wouldn't go far in life. But, that's not what happened. God delivered me from my funk. He helped me lose weight and gave me the strength to graduate college.
Years later, with the weight gone and out of college, I was traveling to my parent's place by bus, and a kid from high school came up to me and asked, "Is that you, Paul?" I replied, "Yes, it is." He was shocked and impressed by how I had turned my life around. At that moment, I was also proud of what I had achieved. Today, I'm thankful for God's mercy intervening on my behalf.
Ryan Stevenson's "Mercy in the Dirt" reminds me of God's mercy on my life. He protected my life from harm--mentally, spiritually, and physically. It took years, but my enemies eventually dropped the stones. Ryan sings, "But You come in between/The stone-throwers and me/You say I'm worth redeeming."
“Instead of kicking me out to the curb/You got down next to me right in the dirt/You're not afraid to see me at my worst/And never treated me how I deserve/Mercy found me in the dirt.”
Zach Williams “Less Like Me”
When I worked in the city, I used to pass the homeless on the street. Sometimes, I felt the Holy Spirit tugging at my heart to flip them a quarter or buy them a sandwich from Subway. Sometimes I did it, sometimes I didn't. Other times, I have moments where I can serve my wife without her asking: empty the dishwasher, fill up her water bottle. Sometimes, I do it. Other times, I don't.
It's situations like these that contemporary artist Zach Williams' "Less Like Me" reminds me to serve others. Jesus says it best in Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV): "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." “Oh, I want to feed the beggar on the street/Love to be your hands and feet/Freely give what I receive/Lord, help me be/I want a friendship first above all else/Love my neighbor as myself/In the moments no one sees”
NEEDTOBREATHE “Who Am I”
NEEDTOBREATHE rocks my world. Much of their music serenade my ears. But, admittedly, I don't always pay attention to the lyrics (this goes for much of the Christian music I listen to). When we don't pay attention, we miss the song's valuable message of mercy—among others—that can make us think or feel better. NEEDTOBREATHE's "Who Am I" speaks to our self-confidence; it says, "Hey, God loves you. Now, love yourself."
In a song devotional interview with NRT's lead contributor Kevin Davis, the band's guitarist Josh Lovelace says, "For us, 'Who Am I' is a reflection of us saying to God, 'Who am I that You would love me?' Even though I carry all this baggage and weight into my story, to try to find ourselves in the picture of grace and how God sees us, and allowing ourselves to see ourselves through that light instead of telling ourselves, we aren’t worthy of that love." “Somehow You really love who I really am/I push You away/Still You won’t let go…Who am I to be loved by You?”
Elevation Worship "Do it Again"
Elevation Worship's hit "Do it Again" is a song about God's mercy for us. In a song devotional interview with Kevin, the worship band's Mack Brock says, "We all have these things we've been dealing with for a long time that we thought God would take care of, and He hasn't yet. But, He hasn't failed us."
For years, I've struggled with anxiety. Harmful thoughts were normal, just part of my mental makeup. But, the Lord showed me it isn't. He said, "You don't have to live in this pain." The Lord is helping me overcome anxiety, step by step. I definitely don't deserve it, but the Lord is healing me. This, my friend, is another example of His mercy.
"I've seen You move, You move the mountains/And I believe I'll see You do it again/You made a way where there was no way/And I believe I'll see You do it again."
Matthew West "Day One”
Before coming to Christ, I thought I had to be perfect. I thought I had to "do things" in order to win His love, to earn my spot in heaven. But, when I came to Christ, I learned that God's mercy doesn't work that way. His forgiveness is a free gift. I get this truth, and, oftentimes, I practice it. But, there are times where I make mistakes and call myself a screw-up. How can God love me now? Again, God doesn't work that way.
Sometimes, music—like Matthew West's "Day One"—serves as reminders that God wants a relationship, not perfection. His mercy grants us second chances. As I shared previously, Matthew 18:21-22 (ESV) says it best, “Then Peter came up and said to him, 'Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.'”
"Well, every single day Your grace reminds me/That my best days are not behind me/Wherever my yesterday may find me/Well, I don't have to stay there."
Paul Phillips is a Canadian journalist with over 15 years of experience writing and editing digital and print content. He specializes in health, fitness, nutrition, and travel. He loves music, movies, and, of course, living for Jesus.
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