January 19

The Door of Mercy

because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high, — Luke 1:78 BSB

What would we have done if God hadn’t been merciful? No one could have been saved.

There’s a story of a man who dreams of being in an open field during a fierce storm. He frantically seeks shelter. He sees a gate labeled “Holiness” and knocks, but only the holy can enter, and he is not holy. He hurries on to another gate labeled “Truth,” but he is unfit to enter there as well. He tries a third gate, “Justice,” but armed guards keep him out because only the righteous are allowed inside.

Finally, when he’s nearly in despair, he sees a light in the distance and heads toward it. The door stands wide open, and angels welcome him with joy. It’s the house of Mercy, and there he finds refuge.

None of us can find shelter at any door except the door of Mercy. Yet at this door, the vilest sinner can find eternal safety, not just a cold refuge but a warm, tender home. God’s mercy is like a mother’s embrace for her child. Our refuge is in God’s heart, and no place is as safe or as full of love.

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty ...
He shall cover thee with his pinions,
And under his wings shalt thou take refuge.”
—Psalm 91:1,4