Tag Archives: mercy

“God saw that human evil was out of control. People thought evil, imagined evil — evil, evil, evil from morning to night. God was sorry that he had made the human race in the first place; it broke his heart.” (Genesis 6:5-6, The Message) 

God had made humans in His own image and after His likeness.  The potential for immense good was resident within every creature, and it broke God’s heart to see divine inspiration squandered, and human potential corrupted.

Yet, it was this apparent disregard of goodness, justice, and mercy by the very people that God had created, that He regretted having created us.  Moreover, God was about to hit the “reset” button on the world that He had called “good” at the dawn of Creation.

Even in the midnight of divine reckoning, God does not extinguish the flickering hope of reconciliation. In the case of today’s scripture, God’s immutable righteousness required the “reset”; as His unfathomable mercy allowed a “restart” through the faithful obedience of Noah and his family members.

God continues to seek us — even in our rebellion.  God continues to loves us — even with a broken heart.  How can we resist such love?  – Luther

Special greetings today to Diane L. and to Billie C.: Happy Birthday!

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“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16, NASB)

There are times when it seems as if trouble and adversity are predators, and these conditions stalk us like prey.

At such times, God’s word reminds us that we are far from alone in our tenuous condition: Prone to anxiety and bent toward fear.  There is One who has been where we are.  There is One who has faced what we are facing, and has emerged from the crucible completely victorious and utterly unsullied by sin. His name is Jesus.

The solution to our many dilemmas — whether existential or empirical — is not to seek the counsel of some and the comfort of others. Instead, immediately “draw near with confidence to the throne of grace,” that is, seek God as your first Resource — not as your last resort.  Those who assiduously seek God will always receive mercy equal to any sin; find grace always abounding in abundance; and receive help that is always on-time.  – Luther

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“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:12-13, NIV)

The disciple of Jesus should endeavor to be merciful in all of his or her judgments because the measure by which we judge others shall be used to judge us; and the measure of mercy we extend to others shall be returned to us.

This does not mean that we should ever excuse evil, or turn a blind eye to wrong-doers. Yet, even the harshest judgments — rightfully made — can be tempered with mercy if sympathy is shown, and if the doorway to reconciliation is left open.

The disciple of Jesus speaks and acts as one whose words and deeds shall be called to account, both in this world and in the world to come.  – Luther

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