Five thirty comes pretty early in the morning. I barely opened my eyes to see the clock glaring at me with it’s big red numbers. “It’s time to get up, sleepy-head” it screams…”I know, I know…”, I mumble.
It’s time to start the day. No, I don’t have a paying job; however, I do have an important job! This is the time that I have set up to read my Bible and have a quiet time with my Lord. I would be lying if I said that I popped out of bed and ran to the office and began singing praises.
No, I shuffle to the kitchen and power up the Keurig for my morning jolt of coffee, splash in some milk and retreat to my little space where I meet with God. And oh what a difference a day makes, when you meet with Him early.
There is a window in my office that looks out to my front porch (but not out onto the street…that would be too much of a distraction) and I raise the shade just enough to see the little birds playing in the grass and flowerbeds. Here, I find Him. Not that he wasn’t with me in the bedroom, or watching me in the kitchen…no, here is where I acknowledge His presence and thank Him again for all my blessings.
This morning I learned about mercy. God extends His mercy and forgives sin even to someone as undeserving as myself. And today…only a few hours after my devotion time, I was put to the test.
I got my feelings hurt. I was made to feel unworthy and when this happened, as much as I wanted to lash out….I remembered my verse:
James 2:12-13 “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”
There it was. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
And yes, I had come up with so many snazzy (polite word for sarcastic) responses to throw back at my accuser. But (praise God) I met with Him early and His Word was in my heart and still fresh in my mind.
Mercy triumphs over judgment.
The dictionary defines mercy as, ‘compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one’s power; compassion, pity, or benevolence’.
I had a choice to make in those few seconds, after the hurt. I could keep my sarcastic words and facial expressions to myself, thereby extending mercy, which is what Christ did/does for me, or I could let my actions show that I don’t put into practice what I just read only hours earlier.
I chose mercy. I kept my mouth closed. I kept my posture from conveying anger. I quietly talked to God and thanked Him for His Word, ‘mercy triumphs over judgment’.
Knowing His grace and kindness and mercy makes me eager to obey.
Meet with Him early, friends. Store His Word in your heart. Don’t let your feelings justify your decisions. He is ready to display His greatness through our own inadequacies.
