Mercy is a gift. It is undeserved. (1)
With common compassion we redefine words and concepts, using them to please the longings of our hearts. Mercy, along with grace and justice, are three words which we commonly misuse.
Justice is giving people what they deserve.
Mercy is not giving people what they deserve.
Grace is giving people what they do not deserve.
Consider this scenario:
If a young boy steals a pound of hamburger meat and 5 pounds of potatoes from the grocer, justice is served if the boy is fined and required to pay the grocer for the food.
However, if the grocer learns the boy stole the food to feed his penniless family, then mercy is served if the grocer refuses to press charges against the boy.
If the grocer goes a step further and provides the penniless family with $500 of free groceries, then grace has been served.
Justice is always deserved, mercy and grace are always undeserved. Mercy and grace are gifts, justice is a consequence.
With this being so, how can we say that God is a God of justice, mercy, and grace?
God is just because all sin is justly punished.
God is merciful because He chose not to inflict the punishment upon the sinner, but upon Jesus.
God is gracious because He forgives us and offers us eternal life, even when we sin.
Christians worship a God who serves justice, mercy, and grace this way:
God is ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He does not forsake the sinner. God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for our sins. (2)
This is the Good News of the Gospel.
This is news we do not deserve!
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Blackaby, Richard (2006-12-01). Experiencing God Day By Day (Kindle Locations 3084-3085). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
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Nehemiah 9:17 and Romans 5:8.
Bread Crumbs - Devotions for Life 
Great illustration Rus, I certainly desire not only God’s mercy, but His grace as well.