WE NEED MERCY
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Matthew 5:7
A woman was complaining to the manager of the beauty salon about the result of her makeup, repeatedly saying, "I demand justice!" The manager reimbursed her money, but kindly said, "With all due respect, you don't need justice, you need mercy."
Have you ever demanded God's justice? In the midst of pain and tragedy, "justice-demanding-prayer" seems reasonable. But when our finiteness is matched with the depth of eternal mystery, we are instead reminded of our need for mercy.
In David's weakest moment, as he approached heaven's judicial hall, he pleaded that he be dealt with according to God's abundant mercy (Psalm 51), and not by the mallet of the law.
When we received this mercy, we are humbled and inspired to extend the same mercy to those who wronged us, or to those who fell by the wayside of life's tough roads. Grateful for the generosity of God's heart, we enlarge our embrace a little bit wider; we lengthen our patience a little bit longer; we serve others a little bit tenderer.
Aware that we may need to ask for mercy in one form or another--down life's tough roads--we become mindful of others trouble, and sympathetic of others failings. Indebted with the abundant mercy displayed on the cross, we pray blessing for our enemy, and receive the benefit of Calvary in the end.
Prayer this week: Lord, in the midst of rudeness and insensitivity around me, let me show mercy to the fallen, extend compassion to the helpless, and set an example to the uncaring. In moments that I will need it, let me then harvest mercy from the abundance of your flowing grace. Amen.