Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Paths of Mercy (Psalm 25:10)

Today’s scripture: Psalm 25:10

As we continue to look at mercy, one thing we haven’t really made clear is that mercy, God’s mercy, is exclusive. It’s only available to “such as keep His commandment and His testimonies.”

If one is not a follower of Christ, then she can’t expect to receive God’s mercy—both that mercy that doesn’t give what is deserved as well as that compassionate treatment we saw on Monday.

Our God longs to shower all humankind with love and grace and mercy, but because He gives free will, allowing each person to choose Him—or not—He will not give the same gifts to those who choose not to follow Him as He does to those who do.

It makes sense. While woman who teaches may certainly love all her students, she certainly would not give them the same gifts as she does her own children.

So while “all the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth,” only those who “keep His covenant and His testimonies” follow those paths.

Monday, November 27, 2017

Mercy and Compassion (Psalm 6:2)

Today’s scripture: Psalm 6:2

We’ve talked a lot about how mercy can be defined as not getting what we do deserve, and this is the mercy that brings salvation.

Today’s verse alludes to another definition of mercy: “compassionate treatment of those in distress” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).

This is the mercy that the psalmist cries out for: that the Lord God, Jehovah Rapha (the God who heals), would treat him with compassion.

This is the mercy that I cry out for each day. And God answers this prayer. Each day.

When I am weak, when my “bones are troubled,” I can pray for God’s mercy, His compassionate treatment,” and He meets me in my distress.

He gives me strength and comfort and peace. He gives me mercy.

Friday, November 24, 2017

Merciful God (Exodus 34:6-8)

Today’s scripture: Exodus 34:6-8

The descriptors of God in this passage are listed elsewhere (Numbers 14:18; Psalm 86:15) in addition to each individual attribute sprinkled throughout the Bible. I love this as an overall look at how wonderful God is:

Merciful—not giving us what we do deserve

Gracious—giving us what we don’t deserve

Longsuffering—patience to draw unbelievers to Himself (see devotional on November 20)

Abounding in goodness and truth—pure and holy, and the Author of truth

Forgiving—of those who confess and seek redemption
We serve an amazing and awesome God. He loves us so very much and gives us so much. His blessings are overwhelming

Thank Him today for all He is!

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Mercies of God (Romans 12:1-2)

Today’s scripture: Romans 12:1-2

These verses may be familiar to many of you. I don’t know about you, but sometimes verses get a little too familiar. So let’s just take a look at them again.

Paul writes to the Christians in Rome that they (and we) should live sacrificial lives in order to be holy and acceptable to God. They (and we) should not live according to the world’s standards, but should seek a true life-change by focusing on God and His word. When they (and we) do these, they (and we) will follow God’s perfect will.

Reflecting on these words is, well, a bit intimidating.

“Do not be conformed.”

“Be transformed by the renewing of your minds.”

“Prove … that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

How can we do all these?

Paul tells us at the beginning: “by the mercies of God …”

We’re not in this alone! We don’t have to try to figure it out! No, the God of the universe is merciful, and He will give us what we need to be the transformed children He wants us to be.

Monday, November 20, 2017

Patient Mercy (Isaiah 30:18)

Today’s scripture: Isaiah 30:18

It always blesses my heart when I read about God’s patience, especially those that speak to unbelievers. Several passages in the Bible speak to God’s waiting in order to be gracious and merciful.

One of my favorite verses of God’s patience—and one that brings hope when I pray for those who are not yet followers of Christ—is 2 Peter 3:9. I first memorized it years ago in the New American Standard Bible:
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
A few years ago, I came across this verse in the Contemporary English Version, and I think I like this one even better:
The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.
I, for one, am grateful that our God waits to show mercy for those who still haven’t found Him.

Friday, November 17, 2017

Mercy and Truth (Psalm 85:10)

Today’s scripture: Psalm 85:10

I know I’ve said this before, but I do love the psalms. The authors of those 150 pieces of poetry offer praise and worship alongside cries of pain and suffering.

Sometimes, though, I read a psalm—or often just a verse—and my heart is touched by the beauty of its words.

Psalm 85:10 is one of those. Look at these words again:

“Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed.”

Beautiful!

We’ve defined mercy as not getting what we do deserve, and when we marry it with truth, it’s breath-taking. The God of all truth, the Author and Creator of all things, shows mercy on His creation. Instead of the eternal death we do deserve, He offers salvation.

But then the words, “righteousness and peace have kissed.” Righteousness through salvation makes us holy in the eyes of God, which brings peace beyond human comprehension (Phil. 4:7).

Meditate on the beauty of these words. And then praise God for His mercy!

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Mercy to Others (Matthew 9:12-13)

Today’s scripture: Matthew 9:12-13

Our Lord deserves all our worship and praise. He deserves sacrifice of our time, talents, and treasures.

But He wants more than that. He wants us to be His hands and feet in a broken, hurting world. He wants us to be His light in darkness.

He wants us to show mercy to the sick, to the difficult, to the (in our eyes) undeserving. He wants us to show love to the unlovable. He wants us to show grace when we receive nothing in return.

Our Lord’s heart is to save sinners, and when we’re “Jesus in the flesh,” unbelievers will see Him and want to know more about Him.

It’s a privilege we shouldn’t take for granted.

Monday, November 13, 2017

Mercy for the Rebel (Daniel 9:9)

Today’s scripture: Daniel 9:9

Oh, I understand rebellion. Unfortunately …

I’ve shared much of my story over the years, so you may be familiar with my being raised in a Christian home and asking Jesus to come into my heart as a child. But painful experiences with abuse led me on a very long path of rebellion.

For many years, I did my own thing, made my own decisions, followed my own plan.

Things seemed to be going well … on the outside. But inside, I was depressed to the point of questioning if life was worth living.

Praise God, I found my way back to the Father, and He showered me with “mercy and forgiveness” in spite of my rebellion.

If you’ve rebelled, come back to the Father. He’s waiting with open arms.

Friday, November 10, 2017

Mercy and Redemption (Exodus 15:13)

Today’s scripture: Exodus 15:13

We who’ve followed Christ for a while tend to use a lot of words that nonbelievers may not understand … at least not in the same way we do. Grace. Faith. Joy. Salvation.

And redeemed.

Redeem is something you do when you use a coupon; you redeem it and get a discount.

For Christ-followers, redeemed means something very different
. Easton Bible Dictionary defines redemption as “the purchase back of something that has benn lost, by the payment of a ransom.”

This is a great definition. We were lost in our sin. One might even say we were kidnapped and held captive by sin. But in His incomprehensible love, grace and mercy, J
esus Christ paid the penalty for our sins. He paid the ransom.

And so we are saved. We are clean.

We are redeemed!

Wednesday, November 08, 2017

Mercy and Compassion (Zechariah 7:9-10)

Today’s scripture: Zechariah 7:9-10

Sometimes, mercy and compassion seem to go hand-in-hand.

If I’m going to show mercy toward someone, I also need to show them compassion.

We’ve defined mercy as not getting what we do deserve. Compassion can be defined as “
sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it(Merriam-Webster Dictionary).

So if these attributes are put together …

If someone wrongs me and then shows true remorse, I should “desire to alleviate” the other’s “distress” by not giving him what he does deserve: condemnation.

And this is where a bit of grace comes in …

I need to forgive that “someone” (in other words, give him what he does not deserve).

Mercy and compassion … and grace.

Hand-in-hand. 

Monday, November 06, 2017

Great Mercy (Luke 1:57-58)

Today’s scripture: Luke 1:57-58

When the Lord revealed to me that I wasn’t going to have children of my own, I have to admit, verses about God’s mercy in providing children to barren women (and there are several in the Bible) made me a bit melancholy.

Why did He show mercy to them and not to me?

It took a while, but I finally realized that He had “shown great mercy” to me in a couple of ways.

First, He answered my prayer for peace when His will was not for children.

Second, He did give me children—children of my heart and spiritual children. I have great nieces and nephews (and now great-nieces and nephews!) and “adopted” children, those young people whose lives I’ve been blessed to influence. I also have been exceedingly blessed to share the good news of salvation when I speak, and seeds have been planted and watered through God’s words through me.

So, now when I read those stories, I rejoice in God’s mercy … for them and for me.

Friday, November 03, 2017

Mercy ... All Along (Genesis 39:21)

Today’s scripture: Genesis 39:21

The story of Joseph is likely familiar to most of us. A favored son. A slightly cocky teen. Sold into slavery by jealous brothers. Accused of attempted rape. Imprisoned. Forgotten.

Joseph had every reason to give up, to doubt, to reject God.

Yet, in each situation, Joseph knew that the Lord was with him, “show[ing] him mercy.”

His trust never wavered, so when he was finally released from prison and elevated to the second-highest ruler in the kingdom, he gave all credit to his merciful God. He was able to say with a sincere heart, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people” (NLT Gen. 50:20).

He saw God’s mercy all along.

Are you in a “prison”? Have you been betrayed? Have you been wrongfully accused? Don’t lose hope in merciful God. One day, you too will be able to see how God intends to use your situation for good … if you don’t lose heart.

Wednesday, November 01, 2017

Obtaining Mercy and Grace (Hebrews 4:15-16)

Today’s scripture: Hebrews 4:15-16

I’ve always loved these verses.

Jesus—God Himself—chose to come to earth in human form. He chose to feel weariness and hunger. Grief. Betrayal and rejection. Pain and suffering.

All because He loves us. All because of His overwhelming mercy and abundant grace.

So we can “come boldly to the throne of grace” in difficulties.

When we too feel weary. Or grief. Or betrayal. Or pain.

And we can “obtain mercy and grace [that will] help in time of need.”

I pray this reminder gives you hope as you walk through whatever storms you may be in now … or will be in someday.