What does the Bible say about God's sovereign mercy?

God's sovereign mercy is a fundamental aspect of His character and is displayed throughout Scripture. The case of the dying thief crucified alongside Jesus illustrates this truth. While both thieves were guilty and deserved their punishment, only one called upon Jesus for mercy, and it was by God's sovereign grace that he was granted faith and repentance. This account demonstrates that salvation is not based on human merit but solely on the divine will and purpose of God, as indicated in passages like Romans 9:16, which states, 'It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God's mercy.'