NEW YEAR MESSAGE/DECLARATION

THEME : 2026 YEAR OF DIVINE MERCY AND MANIFOLD MIRACLES

TOPIC: Sign of God’s mercy.

TEXT: Isaiah 6: 5-7; 8:16-18;  Mark 16:15-18

INTRODUCTION: Mercy is an attribute of God similar to what a woman has for her child. It has its root in the Hebrew word “Racham” meaning womb love or kindness. It is the instinctive disposition of God towards His children that need help. It is shown to someone whom it is in one’s power to punish or harm. Man sinned and God’s justice demands that the man deserves to die. Because of His mercy man does not get the punishment deserves. In dispensing mercy, God is sovereign. “I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy and compassion on whom I will show compassion” It depends on His will not on man’s desire or effort (Rom.9:15-16). While God’s sovereignty is critical, human moral responsibility is stressed. Man has to respond to God’s request for repentance and choose His will (Deut.30:19; 2Chr.7:14). Individuals must turn from wickedness. “Say to the wicked it shall not be well with him” (Ez.18:20-21). It means that man’s will, must be genuinely exercised (Jn.3:16-18). There is a harmonization between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility in that while God is entirely sovereign, man is held responsible for the response- trusting, surrendering, and cooperating—while His role is decisive, constant, and sufficient. (Philp.2:12-13). In essence for God to show mercy He expects the person who accept His will and who fear Him (Ps.103:8,11).  The cross stands as history’s central event of God’s mercy: divinely ordained, willingly embraced by the Son, wickedly carried out by sinners, and powerfully used by God to secure our salvation. Human effort in salvation is commanded yet rooted in God’s prior work within. Jesus was handed over to be crucified by God’s “set plan and foreknowledge,” yet the people involved were “wicked” in carrying out these events. In these events, Divine plan and human responsibility coincide.

1.The prerequisite for mercy: Mercy, as depicted in the Scriptures, is an essential attribute of God, reflecting His compassion, forgiveness, and steadfast love toward His creation. The necessity of God’s mercy is evident in the fallen state of humanity, the provision of salvation, and the ongoing relationship between God and His people. We need mercy because of the fallen state (Rom.3:23)- spiritual death- separation from God hence need intervention- need for redemption. Without mercy man would remain in condemnation and alienated from God.    The necessity of God’s mercy is a foundational aspect of the Christian faith, permeating the narrative of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. It addresses the human condition, provides the means of salvation, and sustains the believer’s relationship with God. Through His mercy, God reveals His character and invites humanity into a restored and eternal relationship with Him. The mercy of God puts man again in a position to accomplish His will and purposes.

  1. The process for mercy: Through forgiveness of sins through blood. In the old testament it was dispensed from the mercy seat after blood of animals was poured. The Mercy Seat served as the lid for the Ark of the Covenant. The Mercy Seat was not merely a decorative piece; it was a covering like the coat put on Adam, the focal point of God’s presence among His people to give them help. The Lord declared, “There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will command you regarding the Israelites” (Ex. 25:22). It was a location for the atonement for sins of the people and the ritual is described (Lev. 16:14-15). This act of sprinkling blood on the Mercy Seat symbolized the covering of the people’s sins, highlighting the necessity of a blood sacrifice for atonement. It underscored the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin, while also pointing to God’s provision for reconciliation. The Mercy Seat is seen as a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ’s sacrificial work. The blood of Jesus shields us from the punishment we deserved because of our sin (Eph. 2:4-5).  The sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ provide the means by which sinners can be reconciled to God, highlighting the necessity of divine mercy in the salvation process. It is an extension of His love. His mercy is new every morning, is abundant and triumphs over judgment.
  2. The possessing of mercy: Mercy is a gift that we must appropriate. There is a parallel between the high priest’s annual atonement and Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice (Heb. 9:11-12). The Mercy Seat encapsulates the tension between God’s justice and mercy. It is a vivid reminder of the holiness of God and the gravity of sin, yet it also reveals God’s desire to dwell among His people and provide a means for their redemption. Through the lens of the New Testament, the Mercy Seat becomes a powerful symbol of the ultimate atonement made by Christ, who fulfills the law and the prophets, offering a new and living way into the presence of God. Mercy gives us reason to hope, spend eternity with God instead of eternal damnation. He is the source of mercy, rich in it (Eph.2:4), renews every day (Lam,3:22-23), multidimensional and transformational. Mercy restores lost opportunities and makes everything new again. It is available to those who acknowledge Him freely, while it only trickles to others. Through Christ, a way is created for us to escape death and the hope to spend eternity with God (Ps.136:1). Mercy extends beyond salvation to our ongoing relationship with God. We experienced partnership and progress but we need mercy for miraculous manifestations. God is a compassionate Father who continually extends mercy to His children (Lam. 3:22-23). This daily renewal of mercy is essential for believers as they navigate the challenges of life and strive to live in accordance with God’s will. Not only should we respond to His mercy but reflect it. “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Lk. 6:36). This command underscores the transformative power of experiencing God’s mercy, which enables believers to extend compassion and forgiveness to others. Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy. Forgive, help someone in need and speak kindly instead of judging. We must not struggle to accept mercy; it is a gift. This year is hereby declared our year of Divine mercy and manifold Positive miracles.