Mercy, Compassion…When Flesh Screams Different

For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. (Romans 9:15, 16 NIV)

Forward Friday!

Romans 9 is filled with vital information. Beginning with Paul, he speaks truth in Christ, he was not lying, his conscious confirms this in the Holy Spirit. Great news for us Gentiles, we were not God’s chosen, yet, his mercy has allowed us to be grafted in as sons and daughters of the most High God; Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. God’s sovereignty is His to define, not based on man’s desire or effort.

Compassion

Hearts are heavy with another school shooting within same area as Heath High School’s shooting, twenty years ago. These small, rural communities are filled with wonderful folks, God- fearing and hard working. I always say our Western KY community had more churches and gas stations, a real Mayberry setting. Can’t say I was prepared for life outside of my home state. Learning life was not fair, became an awakening experience. When reflecting back on scripture, I do feel bad for Esau having to serve the younger, Jacob. Are we to think God was unjust? Scripture states…not at all, reminded what God said to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

Mercy

God is a good God, giving of mercy and compassion. Satan is a lying- deceiving darkness, looking to see who he can devour; steal, kill, and destroy are his vices. As we learn in Job, nothing can happen unless God consents, trusting the ones satan goes after, are unwilling to be broken. Like Job- children were lost, amongst all other loses. As Job is studied, we see his wife tried to get him to denounce God, his friends tried to sway him, yet through all…he stayed true to God. Even though hard for us- we don’t want to lose our spouse or children. When God doubly blessed him in the end- we can easily think we were fine as we were. It’s vital to prove God right, we are able to withstand unbearable trials, unexpected tragedies.

Refuge and Shelter

When flesh rages wanting to force vengeance, know God’s Word is true, vengeance is His. When releasing vengeance for God to handle, peace is able to permeate through us. The person at hand who caused the trouble, God will deal with. Breaking the law, consequences and accountability will be forced. Yet, while God is still in control, there may be reasons beyond our understanding for outcome. Accepting God’s sovereignty, releases any bitterness, anger, rage, hatred trying to harden our hearts. When hearts are hardened…the enemy continues to be at work in our lives. These are tough times, tough truths to accept, yet if we ever want to move forward…trusting God’s Word is the only place for refuge and shelter. Under God’s covering- peace, love, comfort, assurance…God will not break His covenant.

Be encouraged!