Tapping into Mercy

"Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, 

but the one who confesses and renounces them 

finds mercy."

Proverbs 28:13

I'm intrigued by God's mercy, and I have it if I really want it.  He's faithful to forgive through faith in the blood of Jesus, and His mercies are new every single day I awake (1 John 1:9, Lamentations 3:22-23).  He is this wellspring of new life, new chances, new attitudes.  God never runs out of this mercy upon which my existence depends (Ephesians 2:4-5).  In fact, He so desires to continuously pour His goodness into me, but I don't always feel this spiritual flow of richness.  Instead, I often feel devoid of any real love, unworthy, almost hopeless.  

Why this desert living with the promise of such bounty?  Because I easily block what God wants to give me.

Hide.  It's hard for me to camp at a KOA campground.  There, I've said it.  I'd rather go to a state park where trees abound and there is plenty of space between campsites.  It makes me uncomfortable to be so close to people I don't even know, to hear their conversations and wonder whether they may be listening to mine.  I'd rather have the cover of distance and greenery to at least give me the illusion of privacy.

Whereas privacy while camping is not such a bad thing, taking on this same kind of attitude with God and those I love is destructive to my spiritual health.  It breeds an ever-greater sense of mistrust as time goes on, and fear and doubt tend to grow in such an atmosphere.  When I construct a barrier of defense to keep people and even God away, fearing their reaction when they see my struggles, weaknesses and faults, I'm also blocking the good things God wants to give me.  I'm meant to live in community with God and others (Hebrews 10:24-25).  When I resist such openness to His light, I am also resisting His desire to give me all of Him.  When I am willing to receive, I can count on the fact that He is willing to give.

It's time for me to stop hiding behind the barriers I've constructed and start living as a child of light (1 Thessalonians 5:5, 1 John 1:7).

Facade.  She is exhausted.  She spends her days busily keeping up pretensions, carefully choosing her words so they sound pleasing to the ear, preparing for the activities she thinks are what God wants her to do, dressing and acting as she believes is proper for her position in God's kingdom.  From the outside, it seems her faith is strong and her walk with Jesus is secure.  Many look up to her as an inspiration to their own faith.  Yet inside, she feels like she doesn't belong, as if she isn't good enough, and she us utterly tired of keeping up the facade she has so carefully constructed.

This is not the abundant life Jesus died to deliver to those who believe (John 10:10b).  This sounds more like a nightmare out of a horror novel.  Who can keep up this kind of pretense where the impression one leaves is what counts most?  No one can, yet many of us try.  When I create such a fake life, I'm failing to understand the freedom to live authentically that is mine in Christ (John 8:36).  When He died to free me from sin, He meant all sin, even the pride that keeps me worrying about my reputation or thinking that to be loved I must be perfect, or that I can somehow earn my place as His child.  No, Jesus loves me warts and all and it is by grace that I am saved.  As He invites me into relationship with Him right where I am, so He is also the one who is in charge of the transformation process (Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:23-24).  I can't fake godliness, and trying to do so only serves as a barrier between Him and me, bringing to a halt the true renovation project He wants to continue in my heart (Philippians 1:6).  

It's time for me to stop trying to be someone I'm not and begin discovering the woman God created me to be.

Pretend.  "How are you doing after the death of your father?"  

Without skipping a beat, the woman answered, "Fine, great!  Things are going really well, ya, thanks for asking!"  With that, she put on a brave face, smiling largely and began to try to convince everyone in the circle that all was well.  Still, I wondered, was there not some grief or hurting in her heart?  Surely everything can't be so rosy? I thought.

Sometimes it seems safer and easier to put on a brave front, pretending everything is okay rather than risking the emotional display that may come from honestly revealing my feelings for others to see.  When I do so, I find my suffering to be quite a burden to carry on my own.  I'm plagued by my feelings as they taunt me throughout the day, stealing my joy and keeping peace at bay.  Instead of receiving the healing and comfort that God often brings to me through those that He's placed around me, I resist such benefits, preferring instead to go it alone (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).  When I do, I suffer the consequences as I block His mercy from entering in and binding up my wounds, setting me free from the pain.  It's almost like I'd rather be hurting than to let anyone else see what's going on inside.  When I do take the risk, however, I open up the flow of mercy that brings about restoration that can only come through Jesus (Luke 4:18-20).  

It's time for me to stop pretending everything is okay when I'm hurting so that I can find the wholeness that comes through Christ.

God is rich in mercy and He is eager to give me all that I need.  Yet I often resist His generous nature, preferring instead to hide being barriers of defense I've constructed, or creating a facade based on who I think I should be, or pretending everything is okay when it's not.  When I practice such foolishness, I fail to taste the goodness of God.  If I really want to tap into God's mercy, I can let down the barriers, stop the charade and drop the pretentiousness and begin living as a wholly loved child of God through faith in Jesus Christ.  What bounty I will then discover!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to live authentically before Him and others.

When am I afraid to let others in?

How do I live as I think I should instead of letting God change me into who He wants me to be?

Ministry of Forgiveness

"LORD, if you kept a record of our sins,

who, O Lord, could ever survive?

But you offer forgiveness,

that we might learn to fear you."

Psalm 130:3-4

Do you ever feel like we take God too lightly?  That as a people, we've somehow lowered Him to a position unworthy of His majesty?  That in our hunger for His companionship, we have made Him out to be a friend who is like our human friends?  It's not the idea of intimacy that bothers me.  Rather it's the casual way we view Him that doesn't seem quite right.  

When I came across this scripture, it stirred something inside, opened up a new layer of understanding, generated new questions to explore.  Won't you come along with me, dear reader?

Usually, I think that the forgiveness offered through faith in Jesus Christ results in thanksgiving and cultivates a grateful spirit.  I'm so glad that God forgives me through Christ, that He doesn't give me what I deserve, that I owe Him my life in return, a kind of sacrifice of praise in the way I live (Romans 6:23,12:1).  There is more, however, a deeper manifestation of forgiveness than I realized.

Inadequacy.  We all have sinned (Romans 3:23).  No one is good, not one (Ecclesiastes 7:20).  There is no man or woman, boy or girl, who has ever lived in all of history who was able to reach God's perfect standard.  Not the virgin Mary.  Not Mother Teresa.  Not Billy Graham.  No matter how well someone lives their life, each is still a sinful creature in desperate need of a Savior.

Once I understand and recognize my inability to be good enough to stand before a holy, righteous God in my own right, without the benefit of an advocate to argue my case, without the sanctifying cover of the blood of Jesus, I realize the depth of my sin problem.  The sin that is part of who I am, that I cannot help, that comes so naturally to me, is also the very thing that estranges me from the One who loves me perfectly, who has the power to make my life complete, who has what I've been searching for all my life.  But I, in myself, cannot survive His holy wrath if He chose to unleash upon me what I deserve from Him.  Even more, I cannot even come into His presence on my own to receive anything good from Him who is the source of all that is good (James 1:17).

Before I can receive the forgiveness of God through faith in Jesus Christ, I must come to a point of depravity, knowing my need for His pardon and my utter inability to earn it in any way.

Mercy.  Think about a world where I received what I truly deserved.  Sure, in my prideful way of thinking, I imagine that I have earned good things by the way I live my life, in the beneficial decisions that I make, in the generosity of my giving.  But my ability to judge my own behavior is tainted by sin, it is inaccurate to say the least.  Only God knows what I truly deserve.  And if He gave me what I earned through my twisted way of living, the destructive habits and patterns I've learned as a way of coping with this dark world, the self-centered method I've used to order my priorities, I'd be dead in a heartbeat.  If God really did keep a record of all my corrupt behaviors and mindsets, I would never leave a single day.

But there is a holding off of His righteous judgment until the appointed time, a grace period, an interval intentionally left between the sin I commit and the judgement I deserve.  This gap in time leaves room from the grace of God that is mine through faith in Jesus Christ.  Since it is my Father's will that all of His created image bearers come to a saving faith in Jesus, He graciously leaves time for each to come to repentance and accept the gift of mercy that comes by faith in Christ (2 Peter 3:9).

As I come to a recognition of my own depravity, I can then acknowledge God's merciful timing in holding off judgment to leave time for repentance.

Offer.  I see my need for a Savior, my own inability to save myself from the sin of my flesh.  I recognize God mercifully chooses to not judge me on the spot for how I've grieved Him, but gives time for all to come to Christ by faith.  Then I see the offer of salvation for what it is:  a gift of mercy by a merciful God.  It dawns on me that a thin yet powerful layer of blood separates me from the righteous wrath of God.  It becomes evident to me that my very flesh repulses God.  If it weren't for Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross, I'd have no hope of coming boldly before the throne of grace to freely receive all that I need to live for Him (Hebrews 4:16)

And the awe comes, the reverence for such a holy God who I am unable to see for His sacredness, the fear for a righteous God I don't deserve yet have freely been offered.  Who am I to kneel before Him?  How is it that I can speak to Him as if He were a good friend?  Why am I able to open my heart to Him as a beloved daughter to a Father?  As I ponder such mysteries, I offer back my reverence in response for such a God as this.

The dawning of my own need for a Savior, followed by gratitude for His merciful timing that allowed me to be found in my lostness, results in my astonishment of Him as a dangerous God from whose wrath I've been mercifully saved in order to be able to know Him as Papa.  Of this may I never forget.

It's easy to take sin casually in light of the forgiveness that is mine through faith in Christ.  It is equally as natural to start seeing God as if He were like man, able to be fully understood and thus like one of us.  There is an understanding that comes through forgiveness where I realize my own inadequacy, acknowledge God's merciful timing in holding off judgement, and offer back my reverence in response to the forgiveness that is mine through Christ.  This is the ministry of Forgiveness, not that I simply accept and be thankful, but that I come to a deeper understanding of His holy nature and righteous wrath.  He is a dangerous God who welcomes me into His refuge of mercy; of this I must always stand in awe.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that a spirit of respect and awe will grow for God.

When do I take the gift of forgiveness for granted, treating it as a cheap gift?

How am I living in a way that shows my disregard for God's holy nature?

   

Hopeful Expectation

"Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me

all the days of my life,

and I will live in the house of the LORD forever."

Psalm 23:6 NLT

I have seen the benefits of living life with the Good Shepherd.  I have learned of His many blessings as I live in relationship with Him.  I am overjoyed with such abundance.  The beauty that blooms in my transforming heart goes above and beyond my expectations.  As deep and meaningful as my life has become through Jesus Christ, however, it is not all there is.  Perhaps the greatest benefit is yet to come.

Goodness and Mercy.  Anything that is good in this world comes from God (James 1:17).  He Himself is good.  There is nothing evil or dark about Him.  Unlike me, He can be counted on to be virtuous and to do what is best.  Not only is He a good God, but He is love, known for giving me what I don't deserve.

This goodness and steadfast love is beautifully demonstrated in God's generous gift of a promised land to His unfaithful people.  Despite their continual distrust of His ability to provide, protect and deliver them, He still gave the younger generation of Israelites houses beautifully furnished and filled, wells flowing with sweet water and gardens bursting with produce; a ready-made community marked by the abundance of a kind and merciful God (Nehemiah 9:25, Deuteronomy 6:10-12).

This is the kind of goodness and mercy that flows into my life through faith in Jesus Christ.  It's not due to anything I have done, wise choices I have made, or right paths I have chosen.  Instead, God gives good things as a result of His astounding love;  love that flows uninhibited into my life because of His character.

I can expect God to pursue me with His goodness and mercy.

All My Life.  I tend to give up easily.  If I'm treated poorly, my first response is to write the offender off.  My patience quickly runs dry.  God is not at all like me.  He is a God who pursues the broken, who runs after the lost, loves the unlovable (Isaiah 40:28, Luke 15:4).  

Because of this faithfulness, I can expect to never go a day without experiencing the lavishness of God.  If I look for it, I will see it, this abundance overflowing throughout my days.  It could be in the simple gift of a smile when I most need a bit of sunshine, or the hug of a friend when I'm feeling down, or the sight of a sparrow flitting through the bushes outside my window that brings an unexpected smile to my face.

If I am to notice all the good things God is pouring into my life, I'll have to look with kingdom eyes.  My Father does not value the same things this world holds dear.  As a result, His good gifts come wrapped in different kinds of packages, those the world won't even categorize as precious.  But to Him, they are the best kind.  May I always treasure that which will last, that which comes from Him (Matthew 6:19-21).

I can look forward to an continuous flow of His goodness and mercy each and every day of my life.

Eternal Dwelling.  I often feel like I don't belong, like this world is foreign to me or that I'm a fish out of water.  As one who has been bought by the blood of Jesus, ushered into the family of God through faith in His Son, I really don't belong here.  There is a place where I am meant to live, a heavenly dwelling place that is my real home (Philippians 3:20). 

Since this is not where I will always live, I must remember the temporary nature of this life.  When I return to my home in heaven, everything will be as God meant it to be.  It is unrealistic, then, for me to expect heaven here on earth.  Therefore, I must place my hope in what is to come, trusting that all will be made right when I arrive to the place Jesus has prepared for me.  Until then, I keep my eyes focused on this prize, running with all my might toward the hope of what is to come.  

The hope I have of returning to my real home in heaven can spur me on as I live here on earth.

God has blessed me with so many good things as His child through faith in Jesus.  Even though I don't deserve it, I can expect this flow of blessings to continue throughout my life.  As if this weren't enough, this life pales in comparison to the home that awaits me in eternity.  With such a God as this, I can live my life in hopeful expectation.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God to give me better than what I deserve.

When do I desire that which is not truly valuable?

How do I doubt God's goodness and mercy, believing He won't give me good things because of all the ways I've failed?

At His Mercy

"If it's a question of strength, he's the strong one.

If it's a matter of justice, who dares to summon him to court?

Though I am innocent, 

my own mouth would pronounce me guilty.

Though I am blameless, it would prove me wicked."

Job 9:19-20 NLT

Who can stand before God?  Who is His match?  Can anyone claim righteousness?

Job knew.  He understood that even though He feared God and took Him seriously, his best was no match for God's holy standard.  It overwhelmed him, driving him to the depths of despair. Who can stand before Him (Psalm 143:2).  Is there any hope?

Even though Job couldn't see it, God was at work on his behalf, and while it feels scary to be at the mercy of such a powerful, sovereign and holy God, it's right where we want to be.  How do I know this?  Because of Jesus.

My High Priest.  Only the high priest could enter into the Holy of Holies once a year and sprinkle the blood from the sin offering on the mercy seat (Leviticus 16).  In this way, atonement for the sins of the nation of Israel was made.

Jesus, using His own blood from His own sacrifice, stands before God as my own High Priest.  He secured my atonement through the sprinkling of His blood on the cross, unleashing the forgiveness of God, for God cannot extend grace and mercy without a blood sacrifice (Hebrews 9:22, Leviticus 17:11).

This means that without Jesus I have no hope of being reconciled with such a righteous, holy God.  I can never be good enough and no matter how hard I try, I can't reach His standards (Romans 3:23).  Even though God is loving, gracious and merciful, He cannot ignore or deny His righteous, just and pure character.  Simply put, He needs a blood sacrifice to atone or offer redemption for my sins.  Jesus, through His death and resurrection, offers absolution from my sins and entrance into the presence of a holy God who loves me lavishly (Hebrews 4:14-16).

I am entirely without defense before an impossibly perfect God, but Jesus serves as my High Priest, giving me free access to His rich storehouses of mercy and grace.

My Redeemer.  Job lived righteously.  Isaiah was willing.  David loved God freely.  You'd think these pillars of faith would have reason to stand boldly before the God they served, yet each were painfully aware of their sin when in His presence (Job 1:1,Isaiah 6:6, Psalm 51:3-5).  

Coming before God makes me all the more aware of how far I fall short and how offensive are my ways to Him.  In comparison to His perfection, my sin feels even more dirty and shameful.  

Jesus, using His own blood as a cleansing agent, washed away my sins, making me to appear before God as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18).  Even though my sins are highly offensive to God, the blood of Jesus completely covers them, delivering to me the righteousness of Christ as my own (Philippians 3:9, 2 Corinthians 5:21).  This is not to say I am now declared perfect, for I still dwell in this sinful nature in a fallen world, yet God no longer sees my sin but only the perfect blood of His Son.

I am entirely without defense before an impossibly perfect God, but Jesus serves as my Redeemer, giving me a righteousness I otherwise would never attain.

My Source.  It seems I have to try really hard to do good things for God.  I often believe I must know all the answers to give an explanation for the hope I have (1 Peter 3:15).  If I want to make a difference for Christ in this world, I have to work hard.  Right?

Wrong.  Jesus is my source.  It is only when connected to Him that I will be able to do anything of eternal value (John 15:5).  He is the One who transforms me and works through me, enabling me to speak truth, extend love, and share grace(1 Corinthians 15:10).  It is He that finishes what He started (Isaiah 55:11, Philippians 1:6). I am simply a conduit of His grace.

I am entirely without defense before an impossibly perfect God, but Jesus serves as my Source, giving me all that I need to live for Him.

It is overwhelming to realize my spiritual bankruptcy before a God who has very high expectations.  In the face of such perfection, I see how unrighteous I truly am.  Thankfully, there's Jesus.  Through Christ I have a High Priest who makes atonement for me with His blood, a Redeemer who cleanses me and presents me as holy and righteous before God, and a Source who delivers all that I need to live a life pleasing to God.  Even though I am at the mercy of God, I need not fall into despair because great is His mercy through Christ!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can always stay connected to the Source.

When do I go it alone?

How am I sometimes desperate to impress God with my efforts?

Not What it Seems

"The men said,

'This is the day the LORD spoke of when he said to you,

"I will give your enemy into your hands

 for you to deal with as you wish."'

Then David crept up unnoticed

 and cut off a corner of Saul's robe.

Afterward, David was conscience-stricken

for having cut off a corner of his robe."

1 Samuel 24:4-5

It couldn't have been more perfect.  His enemy, the man who had been hunting him down like a lion stalks his prey, was finally delivered into his hands.  Unbeknownst to this persistent huntsman, his target hid in the shadows, watching his every move.  Surely this was God's providence, delivering Saul into David's hands.  Finally, David could put an end to this nonsense once and for all, killing the man who seemed to have lost his mind to anger and was obsessed with an evil intent to kill the young man he once loved. (1 Samuel 24)

It is easy to see the circumstances unfolding before me and assume that God is giving me a chance for revenge, or justice, or to defend my rights.  If I pay attention to His leading, however, I will come to the same conclusion as did David.  This man after God's own heart knew that "the battle belongs to the Lord" (1 Samuel 17:47) and that the Lord would rather His people demonstrate His mercy, love and forgiveness to a world bent on our destruction. (Hosea 6:6)

Mercy

The people pushed Him to the point of breaking, constantly doubting His provision, questioning His goodness, and wondering where He had gone, leaving them to suffer in solitude. (Exodus 16:3, 32:7-8)  In reality, God always gives His people what they need, is intent on lavishing His love upon them, and never leaves them nor forsakes them. (Ephesians 1:3, 2 Peter 1:3, 1 John 3:1, Deuteronomy 31:6)

Even though I am just like the Israelites, showing myself to be unfaithful to the God who loves me, His mercies are new every morning.  He doesn't ever give up on me even though I often give up on myself.  He never throws in the towel as if to say, "Forget it!  She's never going to trust me enough to let me give her what I want.  I'm tired of her wishy-washiness!"  He doesn't give me what I really deserve.  (Psalm 103:5)

As His child by faith in Jesus Christ, He is grooming me to exhibit these same character traits of Christ. (Romans 8:28-29)  Therefore, when I am wronged, I can extend mercy.  When my flesh cries out to enact revenge, desiring to feel whatever satisfaction I may think will come out of getting back at those who hurt me, He has another path for me to follow.  His indwelling Spirit enables me to choose mercy over revenge.

When it seems God is setting me up to take vengeance upon those who hurt me, I must realize He desires for me to instead show His mercy.

Love

From the beginning they were nothing but trouble.  They refused to do as He commanded.  His most beautiful masterpiece constantly gave Him heartache.  In fact, the sin of mankind made His image bearers out to be His enemies.  Still, He demonstrated His great love for His wayward children by sending His own Son to live a wanderer's life and die a criminal's death.  (Romans 5:8,10, 1 John 3:16)

There is no greater love than the love God showed me by giving His precious Son as a sacrifice for me.  He sent His own down to become sin, suffering greatly as a result, so that I could taste freedom. (2 Corinthians 5:21) In order to give me a chance at life, He allowed His Son to taste death.  

How, then, can I even consider my own rights?  Jesus gave up all so that I could live an abundant life, yet I often am obsessed with so much less. (John 10:10) I get caught up in defending my privileges, what I think I deserve.  I focus too much on how I'm being treated by those around me.  I lose sight of my eternal hope and instead hone in on my temporary troubles. 

Since Jesus gave all out of love, I can likewise extend His brand of love to others.  When my flesh clings to all the ways I've been wronged, His love calls me to forget.  When it is so easy for me to seek my own best interests, His love calls me to do what most helps others.  When I naturally feel a bit of satisfaction to see someone get what I think they deserve, His love calls me to show compassion for their suffering. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

When it seems God is setting me up to defend my rights, I must realize His love demands a loving response.

Forgiveness

He could not forgive such an offense.  Due to His perfectly just nature, He cannot simply extend grace and mercy, overlooking His sense of justice.  He is not able to let things slide, even out of love.  The only way God could forgive the darkness of my sin is through the blood sacrifice of His perfect Son. (Hebrews 9:22)

It is easy for me to think that God forgives me because He loves me.  Yes, He does love me beyond measure.  But it goes against His sense of justice to simply overlook how I have offended Him and continue to do so.  My sin keeps me from God. (Isaiah 59:2) 

It is only through the cleansing blood of Jesus that my sins are covered so such a holy and just God is able to look upon me with love. (1 John 1:7) Through faith in Jesus, then, I am able to boldly approach the throne of grace to receive the grace and mercy I need. (Hebrews 4:16)

With such a rich heritage of forgiveness bought for me through the costly sacrifice of Christ, I am able to extend this forgiveness to those around me. (Ephesians 4:32) Instead of seeking my own brand of justice, I can let it go, allowing the blood of Jesus to cover the offense that wounds me so deeply.  In the place of going after what seems fair to me, I can turn away from the hurt and pardon the crime committed against me.  When I am tempted to carry out a sentence I have deemed as appropriate, I can instead put my hurt in God's hand and forgive those who seek to destroy me.  

When it seems God is setting me up to defend justice, I must realize the price He paid to empower me to forgive.

There are many times when circumstances seem to be working in my favor, giving me a chance to seek revenge, defend my rights or demand justice.  A closer look at God, however, reveals a nature that demands quite the contrary.  Instead, He desires for me to extend mercy, love and forgiveness as a way to show the world that He is the Lord my God, proving that things are not always as they seem.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stop going by what I perceive and instead follow God's lead.

When do I let my flesh lead me to revenge?

How can I let go of the hurt that is developing a bitter root in my heart?

God of Mercy

"You must not follow the crowds in doing wrong.

When you are called to testify in a dispute,

do not be swayed by the crowd to twist justice.

And do not slant your testimony in favor of a person

just because that person is poor.

If you come upon your enemy's ox or donkey

that has strayed away,

take it back to its owner.

If you see that the donkey of someone who hates you

has collapsed under its load,

do not walk by.  Instead, stop and help.

In a lawsuit, you must not deny justice to the poor."

Exodus 23:2-6

Mercy: 

(1) kind or forgiving treatment of someone who could be treated harshly

(2) kindness or help given to people who are in a very bad or desperate situation*

Of all the people to see broken down on the side of the road, it had to be her.  The woman in question had hurt me so much, turning her back on me in my greatest hour of need and even going so far as to spread lies to my neighbors.  I hadn't seen this woman in years, but the simple sight of her vehicle brought back all the hurt, humiliation and pain of that time in my life.  I had half a notion just to pass her by, letting her suffer in return for all the ways she brought trouble into my own life.  Then, I felt the gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit on my heart.  Stop.  She needs you help right now.

While it is easy to withhold help from those who are cruel to me, God has another plan for my life.  I can never forget that it is death that I truly deserve.  (Romans 6:23, Psalm 130:3)  Due to God's great love and mercy, however, He offers life through simple faith in Jesus Christ my Lord. (John 14:6)  God is a God of mercy, and as His child, He wants me to be known as such as well.

Enemies

It was a curious thing to see: goats and a baby lion romping around together in a pen.  My daughter and I were doing some channel surfing and had run across a program showing the results of an interesting experiment where natural enemies were raised together a friends. Instead of  following their instinctive predatory nature, they learned to get a long with each other.  Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida even raised a dog and a cheetah together, demonstrating that natural enemies can develop close bonds if introduced to each other at a young age.

Watching these unlikely friendships form made me think of my own enemies.  I may not have anyone who is out to kill me, but there are those who rub me the wrong way, or seem to make it their life's work to try to bring me down, or who just don't seem to like me.  It is hard to treat such people with respect.  Instead, I'd rather give them a dose of their own medicine.

Paul gives me specific instructions in how God desires me to deal with those who are cruel to me.  He says to bless them, join them in times of joy and periods of grief, never assume they're the problem but instead do what I can to live in peace, do right in the eyes of everyone, leave vengeance to Him, and let good overcome the evil in my heart. (Romans 12:14-21) This is a tall order.

When I remember the only reason I'm still allowed to take another breathe is by the mercy of God, I can offer this same mercy to others.  Instead of pointing the finger at how much hurt others cause, I can realize there are three fingers pointing back at me, condemning me for my own selfish point of view.  As much as I feel slighted by others, I must understand that I have been on the giving end as many times as I have received.  If I think I'm not guilty of hurting another, I am not seeing the truth about myself.  (1 John 1:8)

As a child of a merciful God, I will be known as one who loves my enemies when I realize I used to be God's enemy.  (Romans 5:8)

Peer Pressure

Everyone said they saw him do it.  As a result, they all signed sworn statements, testifying to the fact that they were sure they knew who perpetrated the robbery.  The lone dissenter, however, refused to sign.  Instead, she stuck to her story that she had seen a different man enter the convenience store as she headed out the door.  Even though the majority of witness accounts conflicted with hers, she stood by what she knew to be the truth.  She didn't let peer pressure influence her testimony.

It is hard to go against the flow, standing strong against the crowd, especially when others speak with confidence and a sense of conviction.  There is something about human nature that makes me question my own memory when no one else shares my recollection.

God knows what makes humans tick.  Therefore, He warns against letting peer pressure influence the truth.  Many a man has been wrongfully convicted because someone was afraid to stand up for what they knew was right.  While I may not find myself as a witness to a crime, there are times when I am tempted to cave in to the pressure of the majority.

It could be when it seems everyone around me is speaking what they see as the truth but I know is clearly fallacy.  Maybe God placed me in such a position to be able to enlighten others in love.  

Other times I could be the only one around the proverbial water cooler who carries a godly perspective on current events.  Instead of staying silent to keep the peace, I could interject the truth in a way that makes others question their own beliefs.

Then there are times when I witness a stranger abusing another in a public setting.  While it is easy to tell myself that someone else will step forward, it could be that I am the victim's only hope.

As a child of a merciful God, I will be known as one who is immune to peer pressure when I remember the risk Jesus took to save my life.

Protect Innocent

I mindlessly set about my daily task of watering the hanging ferns on my porch.  Deep in thought, I wasn't paying attention to the task at hand and pointed the hose directly into the center of the plant, forgetting about the nest of finches nestled within.  Suddenly, two baby birds were washed away, landing helpless and vulnerable on the ground.

While I did manage to return those babies to their nest, I scolded myself for my carelessness.  Instead of upholding my place as a protector of those tiny birds, I had inadvertently endangered their lives.

God wants me to take on the role of an advocate for the weak.  There are those who God has placed in my path because they need protection.  Therefore, I would be wise to keep on the lookout.

If I'm paying attention, I will find the quiet victim who needs a voice that I can lend.  I may also find the vulnerable who don't even realize the danger that lies all around.  My unique perspective makes me the one who can protect them from peril.  I also may become the source of hope for the powerless who cannot defend themselves.

As a child of a merciful God, I will be known as one who protects the innocent when I realize my own vulnerability before Him.

As one who benefits from the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross, I am to extend the same kind of mercy He freely gives to me.  He desires that I be known as a lover of my enemies, a woman with a strong backbone and a protector of the innocent.  When I embrace my true identity as a sinner saved by grace, the mercy God is known for will also flow from me.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will not block the flow of mercy out to others.

When do I let peer pressure hold me back from speaking the truth?

How do I miss the weak who need my protection?  

* http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mercy

Heart of God

"'My son,' the father said,

'you are always with me,

and everything I have is yours.

But we had to celebrate and be glad,

because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again;

he was lost and is found.'"

Luke 15:31-32

The boy wanted it all.  He was tired of being under his father's thumb; Can't Dad see I'm ready to take on the world?  Why won't he trust me?  he thought.  He had everything he needed, yet it wasn't enough.  What he really wanted was freedom, liberty to spread his wings and find his own way in the world.  I am ready, and I'll prove it to him. 

He was a little surprised his dad gave him his portion of the inheritance.  The eighteen-year-old boy convinced the man that he knew what was best for his life.  Now that he had the money is his bank account, however, it was a little overwhelming.  He decided to take a trip overseas to blow off a little steam before he settled down into preparing for a career.

Much to his chagrin, the boy spent way more than he intended and soon found himself out of money and stranded in Europe. He managed to hitch a ride home on a freighter, working in the galley washing dishes for the sailors and seamen.  Once he made it home, he vowed to never take his father's house for granted.

A week later, he was walking up the driveway toward his home and soon he saw his father running down the lane to meet him.  Wow.  Dad is really glad to see me.  I thought he'd be mad and give me a lecture about blowing my money, but he must really be happy I'm home.

The story of the prodigal son is such a beautiful illustration of God's love, mercy and grace for me, the wayward sinner.  God takes me back as quickly and without question as the father in the story does for his son.  Not only that, it strikes me that the response of the dad to the other, obedient son shows the heart of God.  God is merciful, compassionate and relational.  As a daughter in His family, these should be important characteristics in my life, as well.

Mercy

"That's not fair!"  When working with children, one often hears this phrase.  It's not only children who cry it out in frustration when things don't go their way, though.  I often hear when tragedy strikes that, "She was a good person.  She didn't deserve this."  Another occasion when this sentiment is expressed is when someone is laid off from work or loses their health insurance or goes through some other unforeseen difficulty.  Our first thought is that we should get what we deserve, and since we are fairly good people on the whole, we should receive good things.

Unfortunately, no one is ever as good as they think.  I can think I deserve better because I only compare myself to criminals, prostitutes, drug addicts or other such, "real sinners."  In this way, I can measure up to my own standards and turn out feeling pretty good about myself.  But when I place myself side-by-side with Christ, the perfect Lamb of God, I cannot stand.  I fall way short, as every human does. (Romans 3:23)

Because of this shortfall, I deserve nothing good.  In fact, God says that what my sin really earns is death.  (Romans 6:23)  He says that I can't earn life no matter how hard I try to be good.  I'll never meet His High standard of perfection.  

The heart of God, however, is revealed by David as he praised the Lord, saying, "he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities." (Psalm 103:10)  If I got what I deserved, I wouldn't be standing here today.  Instead, God gives me life.  

Since God does not give me what I deserve, why do I find it so necessary to make sure others "get what's coming to them?"  My need to put people in their place runs contrary to the heart of God.  He is all about extending mercy, giving second chances, and believing the best of His people.  As His daughter, there should be some kind of family resemblance.  

When a cashier or coworker is harsh with me, instead of succumbing to the temptation to chastise their attitude, I could give them a smile and a kind word of encouragement.  On the days when a driver cuts me off when I'm late for an appointment, instead of ranting and raving about their horrible driving skills and inconsiderate behavior, I could send up a prayer for them.  For the times when I'm faced once again with a door-to-door cult-peddler, instead of trying to show them where they're wrong I could try to get to know them and offer to take a moment to pray with them.

God doesn't give me what I really earn, and as His daughter I can also extend mercy to those around me, even though they don't deserve it.

Compassion

Her eyes were cold and she refused to take the flyer I offered to her.  The woman muttered, "I don't live around here." and walked purposefully past me, intentionally keeping her hands at her sides as I continued to hold out the paper bearing the image of a beautiful, innocent 15-year-old girl.  Gabbiee Swainson had been missing for seven weeks, abducted cruelly from her bed while she slept.  My daughters and I were spending some time canvassing local areas to get the word out about her disappearance, making sure people didn't forget Gabbiee.

Much to my surprise, a few people reacted as this woman did; with complete disregard for the plight of this girl.  Jesus said the sign that He would soon be coming would be that the hearts of many would grow cold, but to see it in such a palpable way unnerved me. (Matthew 24:12)

Unlike the rest of humanity, Jesus was known for His compassion.  When He met someone who was hurting, like the Samaritan woman at the well, He interacted with her in a loving and kind way.  He didn't sidestep the truth, but His love always won out.  (John 4:1-26)  He offered what He knew she needed: living, healing water.

In the same way, He always takes me back no matter what I've done.  When I vow to follow Him it doesn't mean I'll be perfect from then on.  No, I still deal with sin and need a continual flow of His grace in my life to help me live for Him.  Once a sinner, always a sinner.  My need for Jesus only grows over time as He makes me more and more aware of my shortcomings.  But His compassion shines through when He shows that He still considers me to be His daughter.  He doesn't disown me when I cross a certain line, fall one too many times, or fail to obey as He's said.  Instead, He takes me back.

My prayer can be, as Bob Pierce said, to "Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God."  As I see the suffering all around me, some blatant but most hidden, I can act as Jesus did, with a heart to point the hurting back to their Creator.  Only He can heal a broken heart, repair a deep-seated wound or mend a tumultuous relationship.  A heart led by compassion will see with the eyes of God instead of the irritable, impatient and cold eyes of man. 

Leighton Ford, an evangelist who has worked closely with Billy Graham, is known to have said, "God loves us the way we are, but he loves us too much to leave us that way."  It is important to give God a chance to act, and to not think that I need to do his work for Him.  He does a much better job at pointing out sin in our lives.  For this reason, my job is to kindly and considerately guide a brother or sister back to our Father so He can do His purifying work.  

The compassion of God is best demonstrated in His love for me and His willingness to sacrifice His Son in order to deliver me from eternal suffering.

Relationship

Most people who have a family want to enjoy their company as much as possible.  This is not more evident than in the life of my mother who lives far way from her children and grandchildren.  It takes effort and resources to get everyone together for a holiday or special event.  My mother's heart, however, is always focused on being together.

God, too, is all about relationship.  He wants His family close and desires my company above all other things.  My obedience to His calling and teachings demonstrates my love for Him because it shows I trust Him enough to do as He says. (John 14:23)  The time I spend with Him also shows that He is a priority and that His love for me is reciprocal.  I can only love because He first loved me.  (1 John 4:19)

For this reason, people should be more important to me than their behavior.  The well-being of my relationships should supersede my desire to be right.  It could be my highest priority to live at peace with everyone.  (Romans 12:18)

God has given me enough grace to bear with one another in love. (Ephesians 4:2-3)  It takes a heart for relationships, however, to cut others a break, drop high expectations and let them walk their own walk.  As I pray for those around me, God will give me the eyes to see what's important to Him and how He is at work all around me.

My relationship with God is what is important to Him, and I can adopt this same outlook as well.

My God is a God of mercy, compassion and relationship.  Many times, however, I do not follow suit.  Instead, I tend to be ruthless, cold and all about me.  As I get closer to God and get to know Him, though, He begins to reveal His hallmark traits in my own life.  In this way, my Father will be glorified as I trust Him more and more each passing day and as He cultivates in me a heart like His own.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can drop my own point of view and ask God for His.

How do I tend to cut people off when they don't live up to my standards?

When is it hard for me to show compassion to those who are suffering?