Mercy Triumphs Judgment

As a teacher, instruction feels natural for me. I delight in teaching my students and children; helping them grasp new concepts and skills. I confess though that showing mercy does not always come easy. There are times that I see teachable moments and the need for correction but I do not respond to their struggles with as much compassion and love as I should.

Lately I have been meditating on Micah 6:8 because when I feel overwhelmed with my circumstances, I can always go back to what the Lord wants from me. “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with my God.”. I am sure I am not alone in my struggle to show mercy. Mercy is not natural for us. We are not always compassionate and don’t always respond with a tender and understanding heart. We need help. The more we seek Jesus, the more his sacrificial love and mercy toward us will penetrate our hearts and soften them so that we are more ready and able to give mercy to others.

As followers of Jesus we have been shown great mercy through Jesus’s death and resurrection. Instead of harshly judging and punishing us for our sins, God will judge us with mercy. When we are merciful to others it is a natural response that shows how grateful we are for everything God has done for us. Furthermore, if we act unmercifully toward others, then we will be dealt with in a similar way (James 2:13). Jesus illustrated this in the parable of the unforgiving steward (Matthew 18: 23-35).

While I was reflecting, the Lord brought Mark 12:31 to my attention. Jesus says, “love your neighbour as yourself.” Mercy is love in action. So if I am not showing mercy toward myself in my own brokenness, then that is how I will love others. Jesus does not require change from us before extending compassion and kindness to us in our weakness, sin, and brokenness. God sees the needs of our hearts and when we encounter sin, weakness and failure, it is an opportunity to be God’s vessel of mercy to rescue and transform lives.

Father God, help me to understand in a fresh new way the significance of how you responded to my sins. Instead of punishing me, you sent Jesus to die for me so that if I receive this gift and make him Lord of my life, you judge me with mercy. Help me to prioritize mercy over judgement when relating to myself and others.

Song of inspiration - Zach Williams - Less Like Me (Official Music Video)

Throughout this day: Reflect on “The Quality of Mercy” by William Shakespeare.

The quality of mercy is not strain’d.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
‘Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown.
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings:
But mercy is above the sceptred sway;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings;
It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God’s
When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,
Though justice be thy plea, consider this,
That, in the course of justice, none of us
Should see salvation. We do pray for mercy,
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
The deeds of mercy.
—From The Merchant of Venice