God's Mercy: An Ocean Compared to Our Drop

Spurgeon contrasts human mercy with divine mercy through a striking image: mercy in us is merely a drop, while in God it is an ocean. In us it flows as a little stream; in God it springs forth as a fountain that never runs dry. What is a small spark of fire when it falls into the sea? Similarly, the sins of a penitent person dissolve in the mercy of Elohim.

Consider the captive follower of the Duke of Monmouth brought before King James II. The king declared, "You know it is in my power to pardon you." The prisoner replied, "Yes, but it is not in your nature." Tragically, his words proved true—the king's cruelty followed. Yet here lies our hope: Elohim possesses not merely the power to forgive, but the disposition, the very nature, to show mercy. As the Psalmist declares, "Unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy."

Mr. Fleming records a hardened criminal in Ayr who repented in prison. At his execution, overwhelmed by assurance of pardoning mercy, he cried out to the crowd: "Oh, he is a great Forgiver! He is a great Forgiver!" Then he proclaimed, "Now hath perfect love cast out fear. I know God hath nothing to say against me, for Jesus Christ hath paid all; and those are free whom the Son makes free."

This is the God we serve—one whose nature is mercy itself.