"SOUNDS OF MERCY, AND GRACE...AND..."

 Once while serving on a Christian Men's Retreat, I heard the Worship Leader singing the song "Amazing Grace".

That song begins with the beautiful and Holy Declaration: "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me..." As I sang along with that song...the Holy Spirit prompted me to ask:  "Father, what were those Sweet Sounds?"  He answered me, giving to me understanding:  "Those 'Sweet Sounds' were music."...I said..."Music?!?!?".

In the music---the "percussion instruments" were (1) The HAMMER DRIVING the spikes through JESUS' wrists into the wooden cross; and, (2) The "Thump!" as the cross hit the bottom of the hole in the ground.  (That caused a very Painful "jerk" on JESUS' muscles as the cross came to a sudden halt when it hit the bottom of the hole,).

The "String Instruments" were the lashes of the whip that ripped and tore JESUS' back, sides, arms and legs!!!  

The lyrics (words) of the song were the seven (7) statements that JESUS made while HE was on the cross; plus what the thieves said as they hung on their crosses; plus the Roman soldier's Declaration: "Surely that is a Righteous Man."  JESUS' last statement was "It is Finished!!!". (John 19:30). (Please YOU! look for yourself by reading the New Testament to find the other six (6) things JESUS said while on the cross.

***From a footnote below John 19:30: "It is Finished - The Greek tense indicates that the work of redemption has been COMPLETED ONCE AND FOR ALL, AND it's results are ABIDING CONTINUOUSLY."*****

I Must insert another insight here that the HOLY SPIRIT gave to me just now: The sounds are Sweet to HIM---because HE ALREADY KNOWS the Sweet Sounds that we will sing to HIM for eternity in Heaven (because we accepted HIS sacrifice for our sins!).

Some Helpful definitions: 1) Grace = favor, kindness, affection, un-merited favor, un-deserved Blessings. (Zech. 12:10/2 Cor. 12:9).           (2) Mercy = unfailing love, tenderness, pity, love; active desire to remove distress. (Micah 6:8/Hosea 2:13/Romans 9:15).

There are many great Blessings---From Genesis 1:1-3 "In the beginning...Let there be light"...all the way through Rev. 22:20-21 "Surely I am coming quickly...The grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST be with you all. Amen."

A partial list of "Sounds" of Grace and Mercy: 1) "...thus says the Lord Who created you..."I have called you by your name...you are Mine,"(Isaiah 43:1.  (2) "I have chosen you, adopted you, and accepted you as Mine in JESUS..." (Eph. 1:1-6). (3)  "I will have Mercy on (him/her) (Hosea 2:2-3).  (4) "The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make HIS face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His smile upon you, and give you peace." (Numbers    6:23-26).  (5) "The Eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." (Deu. 33:27).  (6) JESUS says "I am with you always." (Matt. 28:20). (7) "Because Your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You." (Psalm 63:3-4).  (8) "But YOU are Holy, you enthrone Yourself in the praises of Your people." (Psalm 22:3).  (9) "As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people.." (Psalms 125:2). (10) Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is in within me." (Psalm 103:1-2)  (11) "Fear not, for I am with you, I will hold your right hand." (Isaiah 41:1-3). (12) "I know the plans that I have for you...plans for you to give you a future and a hope."  (13) "Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, His compassions  fail not...they are new every morning, Great is Your faithfulness..." (Lamentations 3:22-25).  (14) "And Mary will bring forth a Son, and you shall call HIS NAME JESUS, fot HE shall save His people." (Matt. 1:21). (15) "Heaven and earth will pass away, but MY words will by no means pass away." (Mark 13:31).  (16) If you, then being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much More will your Heavenly Father give The HOLY SPIRIT to those who ask HIM."  (Luke 11:13). (17) "...HE, the SPIRIT of TRUTH, will guide you into all truth." (John 16:13).

The above is only a partial list.  You Will have deep, thrilling blessings as you add your OWN list!!!  You can read all of GOD'S WORD this year---only about 30-40 minutes each day!  (Get your OWN plan at www.shilohplace.org

Our Sounds to GOD OUR FATHER, JESUS HIS SON, THE HOLY SPIRIT - are to be GIVING THANKS, PRAISE, and WORSHIP!!!  And our Sounds to others shall be: "I forgive you...Please forgive me...JESUS LOVES YOU...THANK YOU...I BLESS YOU IN JESUS CHRIST'S HOLY NAME!!!!!!!!