Day 37 Thursday March 26 – [P] Mercy
RO37: We need this God who is beyond the pains of our earth. We have this savior that says, “Hold on to me. I’ve got your back. I’m for you, not against you.” // In those moments of suffering ..if you know God already you will see Him. Maybe not standing right in front of you, but …God is there. He will make himself present to you// Get to know God now because those things are coming down the road. // Find your strength in the Lord and He’ll raise you up in those moments when no other human being can.
Genesis 17: 3-9
God also said to Abraham: “On your part, you and your descendants after you must keep my covenant throughout the ages.”
John 8: 51-59
Jesus said to the Jews: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.”
I often ask God to have mercy on me for my failings. And even though I can read/hear countless verses from the Bible about how I am to show mercy to others just as God shows it to me (The Lord’s Prayer Luke 11: 1-4; The Good Samaritan Luke 10: 25-37; The Prodigal Son Luke 15: 11-32; The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant Matthew 18: 21-35) it can still be really hard to show that mercy when the moment comes for me to do so.
In the moment I are called to show mercy I often let myself get in the way because I am the center of my world. I am the most important thing and how I feel is what matters and what I think is right and just is what is right and just. But I am wrong. Very wrong.
The Bible is filled with parables but they are not just meant to be lessons all wrapped up in pretty verses for me to listen to, think I know, but then fail to live out when the time comes. These words are supposed to guide my actions especially in those moments when I find it hardest to forgive.
It can be hard work to forgive those that have trespassed against us. I definitely can find myself saying, “I know. I know. That is what I’m supposed to do. But in this case I am definitely justified not forgiving because look at what’s been done!” God doesn’t say it’s easy to live this way. But he calls us to try because we shouldn’t let the sin of another become a sin on our own hearts.
Give God Your Yes 