God’s Number One Characteristic

Current Teaching Series The Miracle of Mercy

God's Number One Characteristic By Rick Warren — Apr 11, 2017 “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth” (Exodus 34:6b NKJV). God’s number one characteristic in the Bible isn’t his sovereignty, omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence, anger, or justice. It’s his mercy. The world wants us to portray God as someone who is completely focused upon judgment. But God describes himself first and foremost as a God of mercy. When God revealed his glory to Moses, he said, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth” (Exodus 34:6b NKJV). Mercy is the first characteristic God uses to define himself in the Bible. It must be the most important. Quite simply, mercy is love in action. It has two distinct parts. Webster’s Dictionary defines mercy two ways, as “refraining from harm or punishment” and as “unexpected kindness.” God wants us to do both. The forgiving side is refraining from punishment. And the compassionate side is going the extra mile to help somebody with unexpected kindness. We need to demonstrate both. It’s more than just an attitude. It’s a lifestyle. Talk It Over Why do you think the world tends to describe God using characteristics other than mercy (his justice, his power, etc.)? If God’s number one characteristic is mercy, how does that impact our understanding of how God wants us to live and the people God wants us to become? Do you find it easier to demonstrate the forgiving side or the compassionate side of mercy? Why? PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>

Our Gift: The Miracle of Mercy Study Kit Experience more mercy in your life! There’s a reason God talks about mercy so much in the Bible – because it’s one of the most important character traits He wants to develop in us! That’s why Pastor Rick Warren put together his brand-new The Miracle of Mercy DVD study kit. In its six lessons, you’ll learn how mercy can help you… • Forgive those who’ve hurt you • Heal your own hurts • Mend broken relationships • Be more patient with difficult people • Cultivate a servant’s heart LEARN MORE

Complete Audio Series (Purchase) Includes six full length teaching CD's from Pastor Rick's series The Miracle of Mercy. LEARN MORE

Series Summary Message 1: ​​Easter Means It's a New Day of Mercy Message 2: God Can Use Anybody Message 3: God's Mercy and My Failures ​Message 4: How Much You Matter to God Message 5: Showing Mercy to Your Family Message 6: Being an Agent of Mercy in the World PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST

Pastor Rick Warren

Enjoy today's Devotional? Listen instantly to the full radio message at Daily Hope Radio. Did someone forward this devotional to you? Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional. This devotional is based on the current Daily Hope radio series at pastorrick.com. Rick Warren has helped people live with hope and on purpose for more than 40 years. He’s the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California and author of several books, including "The Purpose Driven Church" and "The Purpose Driven Life," read by more than 100 million people in 137 languages. He created the PEACE Plan (plant churches of reconciliation, equip servant leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, educate the next generation), which is used by churches in 196 countries. His radio teaching and daily devotional, Daily Hope, is offered across America. This devotional © 2017 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission. You can unsubscribe at any time by changing your e-mail preferences. Update your preferences  |  Unsubscribe