Precious Moments That Count For EternitySample

Everybody Needs Mercy

Some people say that rules are meant to be broken. Well, I’m not one of those people. I love playing by the rules. In fact, I like rules so much that until recently, when I caught people breaking the rules, I would make sure they were punished for it. From reporting stubborn cabbies to the cops to reprimanding misbehaved children, I did it all.
But recently I’ve come to understand that God does things differently. His way involves mercy. Mercy is showing compassion and forgiveness to someone, when it is in your power to punish them. In my quest for ‘justice’, I had forgotten what it is to receive mercy. Our Heavenly Father showed us mercy, by sending His only Son Jesus to die in our place, taking our punishment on Himself. When we have received such mercy, how can we seek judgment for other people?
Don’t get me wrong: the rulebook or the Law is good. Criminals do deserve the law, but the law doesn’t change people; only mercy does. That’s why the Bible tells us that mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13b NIV).
Yes, God gave the Law, but it was only to show us one thing: everybody needs mercy. None of us could ever keep the Law completely, and we would all have to face the punishment of death. But thank God for mercy!
If you are someone who likes rules too, remember that for God, mercy matters more than the rules. If He has to choose between you and His own Law, He chooses you. So, stop seeking justice; leave that to God. Show mercy. Even to those who you think are unrepentant and don’t deserve it. In doing that, you are following in your Father’s footsteps.

Prayer
Father God, teach me to be like You. Let me not demand justice but instead let me show mercy to those who don’t deserve it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.