PROVOKING EARLY MERCIES

O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” (Psalm 90:14 KJV)

One of my very revered mentors said he works toward meeting his yearly targets by the middle of the year as a strategy. By so doing, he coasts home at the end of every year exceeding his targets. He understood the power of early advantage like a long-distance runner who takes off focusing on gaining some early advantages over competition in order to win at the end of the race.

Relatedly, a quoted company that meets its yearly budget or to be conservative, meets its previous year’s actual by half year in an efficient market will boost the price rally of the stock. This will invariably lead to capital appreciation. These early gains may impact on the end of year results if the momentum is sustained. Thereby leading to better capital appreciation and dividend pay-outs for shareholders.

The year is already running with our dreams, visions or goals staring at us. Committing to early wins and realization will help us in no small measure in making the year a very fantastic and joyful one.

The Psalmist understood the impact of early wins and advantages that he prayed to God for early blessings with His mercy. He understood that beginnings can affect endings. And that early mercy can provoke happy ending. No wonder he engaged in early parley with God that undoubtedly provoked the mercies of God in his very glorious life.

Whilst it’s imperative to engage the practical forces of success to seeing our dreams, visions or goals realized, it’s even more imperative to provoke the mercy of God. This is because the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong but being on the right side of God’s mercy can make your engagement most fruitful. (Eccl.9:11; Roms.9:16)

Mercy is the manifestation of grace and love which He wrought in Christ Jesus. What a joy to know that God is rich in mercy for His great and ineffable love wherewith He loved us.

Howbeit, this mercy is provoked by our obedient response to the light demands of Scriptures. Therefore, we can provoke His mercy early and now by doing any or all the following acts of obedience.

1. Confess and Forsake Your Sins.

Confession is the seed for mercy says Dr. Mike Murdock. Confess Christ and possess mercy. Destiny is preserved and upheld by mercy and faith in the truth od Scriptures. (Prov.20:28; 28:13; 1 Pet.2:10-11; Ps.51; Roms.10:9-10)

2. Maintain Divine Presence.

Nothing provokes right and early mercy like God’s abiding presence. Therefore, be conscious of His Presence and never grieve Him. No wonder David in his quest for mercy cried to God not to take away His Spirit from him. (Ps.46:5; 51:11)

3. Engage in Concentrated and Consecrated Prayers.

The altar of prayer is the place of discovery and recovery of grace which is manifested in the mercy we obtain. Please note that kingdom focused prayers and fasting will make your prayers concentrated and consecrated respectively. (Heb.4:16; Acts 26:22)

4. Be Conscious of God’s Love.

Being conscious of His love empowers your faith in His unfailing mercy. (Eph.2:4)

5. Sow Seeds of Mercy.

Recognize mercy as a seed that can produce harvest of mercy. Every act of mercy is a seed for tomorrow. Dr. Murdock puts it this way, “What you make happen for another, God will make happen for you.” (Matt.5:5; Gen.24:12-51)

6. Acknowledge His Prerogative of Mercy.

It’s the prerogative of God to show mercy to whoever He wills. Acknowledging God shows absolute trust and it commits God. (Ex.33:19; Roms.9:15-16)

7. Seek God Early and Now.

Seeking God early connotes trust, obedience, promptness, seriousness and priority. Those that give God such priority and trust attract God’s attention and mercy. Mary Magdalene sought for Jesus early on Resurrection morning and she had the awesome privilege of Jesus first appearance of mercy. (Ps.63:1-3; Mark 16:1-2,9)

Hear this: The invocation of joy is a product of mercy. This year will surely end in laughter and joy.

To your early mercies,

✝️Tochukwu Kemakolam

Prime Minister