Be merciful

"But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven. 10 And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the LORD your God? 11 Now hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon you" (2 Chron. 28:9-11).

Because of the idolatry of Ahaz, King of Judah and His people, God allowed him to be defeated by their enemies (Syria and Israel) as a form of judgment. But although God used Israel to judge Judah, they showed no mercy in battle. And the rage by which they slew the children of Judah reached heaven. In other words, their rage against Judah got God's attention in a negative way. In addition, Israel wanted to bring Judah into slavery. The actions of Israel against their brethren (Judah) rubbed God the wrong way. In light of the severity by which Israel dealt with Judah, God reminded Israel that they had some big sins of their own. How dare they deal so severely with Judah when they themselves had sins that they deserved to be judged for?

Jesus said, "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy" (Matthew 5:7). We live in a fallen world of imperfect people. There will be times when people will disappoint, hurt and offend you to the point that you become angry. There will also be times when we will be the ones doing the offending. In the same way that we would want to be shown mercy and grace when will blow it, we should also be quick to bestow mercy and grace unto others. Aren't you glad that God is so patient and merciful with you? On the other hand, maybe you’re perfect and you have the right to deal severely with others who offend you. Maybe people deserve for you to write them off. As for me I will declare, “Lord, deal with me in mercy.

The words of the Psalmist say it best: “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. 10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust” (Psalm 103:8-14).

May we whole heartedly heed the words of our savior, “Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful” (Luke 6:36). Lord, thank you for the mercy that you bestow upon me every single day.