God Shows Mercy

 For God said to Moses, “I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.” So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it. Romans 9:15-16 NLT

Have you ever had someone go out of their way to do something exceptionally wonderful for you? You were wondering why would they do such a wonderful thing? It’s not that you didn’t appreciate their kindness but you wanted to understand the motivation behind their actions. We live in a society that is constantly looking for a hidden agenda, and so you can become uncomfortable when people are too kind. One snowy day I was waiting for the bus to get to school. There was so much snow that the busses had difficulty traveling. A man stopped and offered to give me a ride; I declined his kindness and he became very angry. His kindness made me uncomfortable.

God is not like that, when He does the unexpected in our lives, we respond with joy. God is a merciful God. The dictionary tells us that mercy is compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to hurt or harm.  So mercy is a gracious gift from God. Have you ever thought about the things that you’ve done where God looked down in mercy and extended forgiveness instead of harm? I am personally grateful that God decided to show mercy toward me because I can’t choose or work for it.

In Luke 10:25-37, Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan. One day a man went on a journey and he was robbed, beaten and left for dead; the kind of thing that happens to people today. Religious leaders walked by but offered no help to the wounded man. Then a Samaritan man walked by; he saw the condition of the man and his heart was filled with compassion. He could tell that this man was not a member of his community, but he did not allow their differences to affect his response. He stopped and cleaned his wounds then took him to an inn. He paid the inn keeper to care for the man. If his care exceeded what he paid for, he would reimburse the innkeeper for his extra expenses.

When God looks at us, at times we are like that man, broken and left for dead by sin and the pleasures of this world. But God does not walk away from us like the religious leaders; instead He has compassion and extends mercy to us. He says, “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18. It is within God’s power to punish us for our sins but He chooses to forgive. Don’t let God’s mercy pass you by.

Thought for Today: Friend, God is waiting to extend His mercy to you.

Have a blessed day and walk in faith and victory.