9/10/01
MERCY OVER JUDGMENT
In these past few weeks, I have felt
the Holy Spirit bringing to my mind
constantly the subject about "mercy" and the need for God's people to
flow
abundantly in this virtue.
Yes, we all know that our God is a God of justice and a day of judgment is
at hand, however, I have felt challenged that until God acts on our behalf as He
has
promised He will, we as God's children must continue to press in praying and
exercising mercy in our lives.
LESSON FROM HISTORY
Jonah failed in this respect. He was angry at the Lord's compassion towards
Nineveh, "O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is
why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish, I knew that you are a gracious and
compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents
from sending calamity. Now, O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for
me to die than to live." But the Lord replied, " Have you any right to
be
angry?" (Jonah 4:2-4)
Simon the Pharisee asked this question in his heart when he saw Jesus
entertaining the sinful woman's act of pouring an alabaster jar of perfume
on His feet. "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him
and what kind of woman she is - that she is a sinner." (Luke 7:39)
When Jesus decided to stay at Zacchaeus’ house, the people who saw this began
to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner'." (Luke 19:7)
The elder brother of the prodigal son became angry when he saw his father
lavishly welcoming back his younger brother. (Luke 15:28)
A PITFALL TO WATCH
I felt the Holy Spirit is challenging us His people to continue to check our
hearts specially our attitudes when pray and act towards those people who
we may perceive and consider as unrighteous.
When we find ourselves treated unrighteously or when we see unrighteousness
flourish in our midst, we will find that it is much easier to pray for God's
judgment instead of for His mercy and blessings.
MERCY TO BLOSSOM IN US
However, God wants to create and developed in the heart of His people a
heart full of mercy and compassion especially towards those who
deserve it
the least.
As we choose to continually exercise mercy and compassion when we pray for
those who come against us, as we face those that hurt us, as we respond and
react to
their words and actions, these daily exercises will result in the growth
and development of our spiritual muscles of mercy and compassion.
WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY
Until we see the Lord Himself execute judgment on our behalf as
He has
promised us in His word, we must seek to desire and walk in mercy
more than judgment.
PROMISES & REMINDERS
"For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than
burnt offerings" (Hosea 6:6)
"Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord.
Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember
mercy." (Habakkuk 3:2)
"..judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been
merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment." (James 2:13)
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew
5:7)
"Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is
written, ' It is mine to avenge; I will repay, ' says the Lord." (Romans
12:19)
"But I tell you who hear me; Love your enemies, do good to those who hate
you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone
strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your
cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks
you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to
others as you would have them do to you.
"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even
'sinners'
love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you,
what credit is that to you? Even ' sinners' lend to 'sinners' expecting to
be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them
without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and
you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and
wicked. Be merciful, just as Your Father is merciful." (Luke 6:27-36)
PRAYER
"Holy Spirit, create in us a heart full of Christ's mercy and compassion
as we set our face in the journey that You've charted for us to walk this
season."
Needing His mercy,
Sis. Ching Co
Cebu City
Philippines