Young Adults' Group

The Mercies Of God

by Pastor Mark
October 13, 2016

Celebrating the 27th anniversary of IPC India

It was 27 years ago that IPC India began in a small broken down hut where Pastor Baskaran and a little group of brethren worshipped. Things have changed significantly over the course of these 27 years. We now have 4 churches being cared for by 4 pastors. The Lord has indeed blessed us tremendously. IPC India has grown from strength to strength. How should we understand the work of the Lord in the midst of our Indian brethren?

The mercies of God

One key thought that Pastor Charles brought across at the anniversary celebration was the mercies of God. He drew his focus from Ps 118. The focus of Ps 118 is on the mercies of God. This Psalm is bracketed both in the beginning and the end with the Psalmist’s focus on the mercies of God, “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” (Ps 118:1, 29) This was a confession that the Psalmist emphasised – that the mercies of the Lord endures forever. This means that the whole psalm is about the mercies of God. As we look back 27 years of the Lord’s ministry in IPC India, we clearly see the mercies of God enduring throughout those years. It has all been about the mercies of God. If not, IPC India would not be where it is today.

1. Confidence in God

What should our confidence be in? The Psalmist placed his confidence in God and His mercies rather than man and his devices, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.” (Ps 118:8, 9) We recognise how man can be untrustworthy…where sometimes friends can even turn out to be enemies. There will be those who will stand against what we believe in. It is better that we learn to trust the Lord…to have confidence that He is on our side and He will help us in our times of difficulties. (Ps 118:6, 13) Our confidence in IPC India has been in the Lord over all these years. Let us be challenged to continue to have confidence in the Lord.

2. The chastening of the Lord

“The Lord has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death.” (Ps 118:18)

How are the mercies of God related to the chastening of the Lord? The chastening of God reflects His mercies. It is in His mercies that He would lovingly rebuke and chasten us as His sons. For 27 years, IPC India has been chastened many times so that they may learn what is the truth and what is good and right. Through the Lord’s cleansing and reproving work, IPC India has changed and grown significantly over the years. Let us be challenged to see the mercies of God when He chastens us through the difficulties of life that we may be that much righteous in life and ministry.

3. The chief cornerstone

Another way in which the mercies of God are reflected is in the Messianic element of this Psalm, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.” (Ps 118:22) The chief cornerstone is a reference to the Messiah. He will be the chief cornerstone of the church. (Eph 2:20) Through Him, the mercies of God have been specially extended to all men. Those who have faith in Christ will not experience the wrath of God but has been saved by His love and grace. (Eph 2:4, 5) Let us have a deeper sense of appreciation about the mercies of God that have been specially extended through Christ as our chief cornerstone to IPC India and to all us. Let us continue to have faith in the mercies of God for our life and ministry.

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