"THE GRACE OF OUR LORD WAS EXCEEDING ABUNDANT." His mercy is from everlasting to everlasting. Paul was once Saul the blasphemer, a persecutor, and very injurious to the cause of Christ; but the Lord showed him mercy as a pattern to them which should hereafter believe. Here we see that mercy is free for the vilest; that the Lord has mercy upon sinners, just because He will have mercy. Paul obtained it without seeking; anyone may, by seeking it. The mercy which the Lord shows, and which Paul obtained, always brings a complete pardon for all past sins, however numerous or flagrant they may have been. It brings peace to the conscience, however troubled or distressed. It produces holiness in the heart which will appear in the life; it leads the soul to desire and seek the knowledge of Christ above all other things, and to count everything but dross and dung in comparison with it. It fortifies the mind to meet, endure, and pass through trials and tribulation for Christ's sake. It leads to friendship with God, concern for the salvation of souls, and binds us to the church of Jesus by strong and lasting ties. Reader, has mercy had the same effect on you as it had on Paul? Whenever mercy is obtained, its fruits will appear.

For Meditation:
Mercy there was great,
And grace was free,
Pardon there was multiplied to me,
There my burdened soul found liberty
At Calvary.