Verse of the Day - Luke 6:36

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
~ Luke 6:36 (NIV)

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Mercy is an outpouring from God that doesn't come naturally to us. We might like to think we're merciful, but it doesn't take much negative action toward us before we rise up with the sword of justice and look for heads to roll.

Certainly, there are times to fight injustice. God is absolutely the Defender of the oppressed, and we should fight for the side of human rights. But in this passage, I think Jesus is talking about slights. Minor offenses. The little things. And how often do we demand justice for the little things, instead of showing mercy?

~ A grocery clerk overcharges you, so you speak to the store manager to make sure the clerk gets in trouble...

~ You overhear some negative comments made about you in the office lunchroom, and then send out a blast office email identifying the gossipers by name...

~ Your kid lies to you about cleaning his room so he could go to the football game, so you ground him for six months...

We often have the right to make people pay for the error of their ways, but are we showing mercy, or vengeance?

If we were made to pay for all the error of our ways, we'd have so many balls and chains wrapped around us, we'd look like the ghost of Jacob Marley in "A Christmas Carol"! Yet, God is merciful to us. He does not repay us as our deeds deserve (Psalm 103:10). You know it's true, and I know it's true. So Jesus tells us to imitate our Father in heaven...show mercy the way He shows us mercy.

The next time someone slights you, or "slaps you on the cheek", ask God to help you show mercy. Don't pay them back as their deeds deserve. Show kindness, instead of harshness. Overlook, instead of looking down upon. That is how we personally identify with the heart of God, and how we show others what our God is really like.

Love,
Joelene