Desiring God

Last night at Bible study, we did a one off study on John Piper. In our group planning at the start of the year, our group decided that they would like to learn about some theologians in the weeks between our regular studies. So, having finished Ephesians and having had a social last week, we took to John Piper last night.
We listened to this sermon as a group and then discussed the ideas that it raised. Basically the sermon is the grounds for the first chapter of the book Desiring God.

One verse that Piper refers to in the sermon really resonated with me . Piper had set forth the problem of our sin before God. How can we possibly have confidence that God will forgive us? Is it that God has a duty to forgive us? Is he bound by some heavenly set of rules that force him to be merciful?
Answer: Jeremiah 9:24, "'I am the Lord who performs mercy and justice and righteousness in the earth, because in these things I delight' says the Lord."

God delights in showing us mercy. He loves to do it. He is not, in Piper terms, a 'gloomy God'. He loves to show mercy. He loves to forgive. It brings God joy to be merciful. Thanks be to God that he loves to be merciful!