Seeking Mercy And Forgiveness

Sometimes it’s good to make a really big mistake.

Not because of the pain that it causes others, but because of the incomparable mercy and forgiveness that can follow.

We get so complacent, sleep-walking through our lives, thinking we are doing okay. And if we see ourselves as living okay lives, how judgmental are we of those we believe aren’t hitting our mediocre standards?

Way at the other end of the spectrum is the commission to be the hands and feet of Jesus while we are here on this earth. That means offering large platters of mercy and forgiveness to those who so sorely need it.

My husband, Steve, is an attorney, and he suggests that sometimes there is a benefit to having older citizens on a jury. They have lived a long time, and may have made a few mistakes themselves along the way. If they haven’t, then they may have a nephew or an in-law or a cousin who has. With age may come some wisdom – and some mercy.

I wonder how many times people have reached out to us – perhaps very quietly – in the deep hope that we will offer mercy and forgiveness to them. And I wonder how many times we have lacked the sensitivity and the awareness to understand what they hope for. How many times have we turned people down, knowingly refusing to grant them what they need from us?

Many years ago, a woman came and whispered her apology to me. I was so stunned that it took months for the words to register. And by that time, she was gone.

That’s the difference between human and Divine.

Our God is always on His throne in heaven waiting to bestow His love and mercy on us. Because of Psalm 103, we know He has promised to cast our sins as far as the east is from the west:

“Merciful and gracious is the Lord,

Slow to anger, abounding in mercy.

He will not always accuse, and nurses no lasting anger;

He has not death with us as our sins merit,

nor requited us as our wrongs deserve.

For as the heavens tower over the earth,

so His mercy towers over those who fear Him.

As far as the east is from the west,

so far has He removed our sins from us.”

Big devastating sins; barely there sins.

He removes them all.

And then He fills us with His love, His mercy and His forgiveness so that we can share them with those we meet.