Mercy; the Heart of God

“Even if I had any money I wouldn’t give it to you.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Ethan knew he had made a huge mistake. The three thugs confronting him on the C-train platform did not take kindly to his attitude. They were on him.

Ethan cowered before his merciless attackers. As the swift blows of their fists fell full force on his chest, arms, and legs he lowered his head and covered his face with his hands. His screams reached the fearful bystanders’ ears but not their hearts. No one came to rescue him. Men and women stood to the side, afraid to become involved. At the end, the pan-handlers grabbed the young teen’s backpack, and fled.

Living in a big city I see a huge lack of mercy in society. It seems everyday the newspapers and other news media shout crime and shootings at us.

And yet we all need mercy in our lives, even those who commit crime and show no mercy. At their court case they too desire the judge’s mercy in the sentence he hands down to them.

Thankfully for us our God is a merciful God or we would be doomed. Even though we try our best in life we fail at one thing or another and need God’s forgiveness and intervention to save us.

The Israelites again failed to carry out their covenant with God. He had promised them He would protect and bless them if they obeyed Him. They failed to drive out the people of Canaan completely as He wanted. They decided they could live side by side with them. God had warned them that this would cause them to worship their gods too. God was right. It happened just like He said it would.

So God, in His justice, let them be taken captive by the nations around them. Still God in His mercy delivered them, after a time, in answer to the prayers of the righteous among them. We can be confident that God is merciful to us also when we fail; even when we turn away from Him for a time in our selfishness and disobedience.

“His compassion never ends. It is only the Lord’s mercies that have kept us from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his lovingkindness begins afresh each day.” Lamentations 3: 22 and 23 [The Living Bible]

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I want to walk with you spiritually this year, inviting you to read the Bible through from cover to cover; from Genesis 1 all the way to Revelation 22:21. If that sounds too difficult for you and your kids, you can join in again after you have taken a break or join us for the days you’re up to it. I promise that you will understand the Bible in a much deeper way if you read it through from cover to cover in a year’s time.

Accept my challenge to read the Bible through in one year chronologically, including the Old and the New Testament.

Today read:
Judges 2:10-3:31
Luke 22:14-34
Psalm 92:1-93:5
Proverbs 14:1-2

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