What Mercy Looks Like

What have You taught me most lately?
Mercy, for one.
Mercy.
Not the same as righteousness,
Yet necessary to it.
Not the same as grace,
But another integral ingredient.
Not even the same as forgiveness,
But the reason for it.

Mercy.

Maybe it underlies everything You do
And have done.

Mercy put Adam and Eve in a protected garden, and gave them clothes when they had to leave.

Mercy gave the world decades to repent while Noah built a boat, then saved his family when it refused.

Mercy rescued Paul after he'd refused to rescue Stephen, and allowed him to spend the rest of his life rescuing others.

Mercy. It characterized Moses, Deborah, and Jesus.

Meaning it characterizes You.

Meaning it should characterize me.

You've had so much mercy on me. Now it's my turn to pour it out on others. More than my turn; even more than a responsibility. It's a privilege You've granted me. How could I refuse?

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