...Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth. (Job 11:6)

                              Whenever you get angry, or sad, or downtrodden about your circumstances, just remember that you are probably getting more of a blessing than you deserve.  I know that is difficult to hear, especially when your problems are monumental.  But I have often believed, that I would choose mercy over justice if my entire life record was being scrutinized. 

In the passage above, Zophar is criticizing Job for being self righteous in dealing with his problems.  Of course, Job was a righteous man, and had not done anything to directly earn the difficulties that he was experiencing.  Even though Zophar was being judgmental and arrogant himself, his point is well taken.  When we really think about it, God could allow worse things to happen to us as we measure our past actions with the blessings that we receive.  I regularly ask God for mercy in my prayers.  And I thank God for mercy that He gives to me even when I do not deserve it.  In fact that is really what mercy is, getting something good when we deserve something not so good.  The next time you are feeling depressed, just remember that God is so merciful, that He will eventually make sure that we get more blessings than we deserve. Then just thank God for Mercy!