GOD OF MERCY
Kimberly Lawrence
Today's Scripture: “For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.” Deuteronomy 10:17-18, ESV
Theme: Compassion and mercy cross cultural and ethnic lines. By your actions, you can show the love of Jesus to someone who is hurting.
THE MAIN THINGS
It is noted in three different books of the Bible that Jesus cited God’s single and greatest commandment in some version or another: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:35-40, Mark 12:28-34, Luke 10:25-28). As a Christian, I am overwhelmed with what God has done for me. Though I know how unworthy I am, I am so grateful for the unconditional and unlimited love I’ve received from Him. I show my love for Him in worship, study, serving, giving, and prayer, so I like to give myself high marks in the “loving God” category. Check, check, check!
When it comes to loving others, however, I prefer to be graded on a curve. Really, God? ALL the others? Every single one of them?
MOTIVATIONS
In the movie “Little Boy”, Pepper’s only motive when he starts working on the Priest’s list is to get his father back. He’s going through the motions and checking all the boxes to get the outcome he wants. It’s easy to see the innocence and desperation in this. Yet, God uses that obedience and faith, as small as a mustard seed, to change Pepper’s heart. At the start, Pepper doesn’t just “not like” Hashimoto; he hates him. Befriending an enemy seems impossible, but to accomplish his goal, he’s willing to try. We see Pepper’s heart soften and a true friendship develops throughout the movie. God is opening Pepper’s eyes and blessing him in ways beyond what he was directly asking God for.
As compassion and mercy can cross cultural and ethnic divides, they can also cross religious lines. You don’t have to be a Christian to be compassionate and merciful, but I do wonder how one can be a Christian...without being both of those. Read that again. I want to receive God’s free and endless mercy, but I somehow get stingy and judgmental when it’s time for me to dole it out. Does some part of me believe that only people who look like me, think like me, act like me, and believe like me deserve my compassion and mercy? If God measured “deservedness” like I do, how did I ever make the cut?
Make It Personal: Compassion for others isn’t restricted to those that “deserve it.” Compassion is not only the recognition of the needs of others but taking action to help. Don’t just think; DO. Empathy is not enough. We are called to serve suffering people because they are ALL God’s people. In our obedience, God will work to bless the giver AND the receiver, according to His perfect plan.
Even as mature believers, a “me first” mentality can creep in. At times, I’m guilty of very specific prayers that are much more about my will than His will. As scary as it is, let’s pray for the uncomfortable and allow God to grow us while blessing others. Let’s look for the ways we can love unconditionally, giving and serving without hesitation.
Pray: God, thank You for my ability and capacity to serve. I pray You will draw me to those who need to see Your love. Help me to be obedient to whatever You call me to do. I trust that You’ll magnify my efforts and use them for Your good and perfect will. Forgive me, God, when I have been arrogant, judgmental, and lazy—or when I have simply lacked courage. I want to see others through Your eyes and not my own, with a heart of compassion and mercy. Amen.
Read: Matthew 25:35-40; Deuteronomy 10:17-21; Revelation 7:9-12
Weekly Memory Verse: “If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20b, ESV