Got Mercy?

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (I Peter 1:3)

It was an all too familiar scene. I was driving from my house toward town. The speed limit is 30mph. As I came to the S-curve by the railroad tracks, a little Subaru came flying around the corner from the opposite direction. He was going at least 50mph. As I veered toward the ditch to allow as much room as possible so that we wouldn’t collide, I had only one thought: “I wish there was a cop waiting for him on the other end of this curve!” Why did I wish that? I wished it because I wanted him to get what he deserved, a big speeding ticket! I didn’t have to sit and think about that response either–it was instantly in my head. Do you know why? Because I am not naturally merciful. My first thought is self, which is a problem that is common to all human beings.

How grateful I am that God has great mercy! Mercy is not giving people what they deserve. We deserve punishment and death because of our sin, but God demonstrated His great mercy to us in sending Jesus to die for our sin. Paul says God is “rich in mercy” (Ephesians 2:4). As I ponder how merciful He has been to me, I am ashamed how quick I am to condemn others. I wish my first thought for that other driver had been merciful. As those who have received great mercy, let us be careful to show mercy to those around us.

-Pastor Mike