Surely it has been "goodness and mercy" with us all the days of our lives. Another has written that it would be difficult to find two other words to describe as accurately as do the two great words of our text the two-fold provision which has been made by our God for believers... Goodness—that is for our need, and corresponds to what the priesthood of Christ provides (see Heb. 4:14-16); Mercy—that is for our failure, and well describes what is secured for us by the advocacy of Christ (1 John 2:1).
Goodness. In Heb. 9:24-28, there are three "Appearings" of Christ spoken of. He hath appeared—as a Sacrifice (verse 26); He now appears—as a Priest (verse 24); He shall appear—as a Savior (verse 28). At the present moment, therefore, He now appears in the presence of God for us (verse 24), and seeing He ever liveth there to make intercession for us (Ch. 7:25), we are instructed to come boldly to the throne of grace that we may find grace to help in time of need (Ch. 4:16).
Mercy. But suppose we fail to avail ourselves of the high-priestly provision which has been made for us—what happens then? Does He cast us off forever? That is what we would deserve, no doubt, but that is not what He does. Writing to Christians, the Apostle John says, "If any man sin, we have an advocate with the FATHER"—notice the emphasized word, for it is the key to the understanding of our theme. The grace that makes a man a Christian leaves him still a man. He is not impeccable, for he still has a deceitful heart and a tempting devil to contend with. Hence the force of the word "if any man sin"—the possibility of sinning is admitted, but its necessity is denied. When a Christian does sin, however, he is dealt with not as a convict, but as a son. When your little son disobeys you, you do not send him to the police station to be dealt with. The relationship which you bear to him gives you the right, and lays upon you the responsibility, to deal with him yourself. So it is here. If a believer sins, his Heavenly Father will judge him (see 1 Peter 1:17); he will be chastened by the Lord that he may not be condemned with the world (1 Cor. 11:32). It is impossible for God to treat sin lightly, and His disciplinary chastisement of His people who give way to it will eventually make it impossible for any of them to regard it lightly, either. But if you have been tripped up in an unwatchful moment, remember the word: "If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous," and He never loses a case. Satan may accuse (Rev. 12:10), but he cannot condemn (Rom. 8:33, 34); the propitiatory sacrifice of our blessed Lord shall retain its efficacy till every ransomed saint of God be saved to sin no more (1 John 1:7). Whole-hearted confession—which embraces self-judgment and the abhorring and forsaking of that which interrupted communion—is the divinely appointed method of bringing us once again into the enjoyment of that which the advocacy of Christ secures (1 John 1:9).
“Thus 'Goodness' is manifested in the provision of the One who ever lives to intercede, while 'Mercy' follows us to rub out the ugly footprints which we make when, through unwatchfulness, we go astray. There is not a necessity in life unthought of, not a need unprovided for!" J. Smith