How Does Demonstrating Mercy Strengthen Our Character?

The first thing most people do when confronted with life-threatening problems is to ask God for help and mercy. We often attribute acts of mercy only to God, for he abounds in mercy and forgiveness, but does God expect us to show mercy to others as an act of our gratitude?

Matthew 18 includes a story of a man whose debts were so out of bounds, his creditor threatened legal procedures. Then motivated by an  act of mercy, the creditor forgave the entire debt. Instead of extending mercy to those indebted to him, however, this man viciously demanded payment.

David extended mercy to Saul by refusing to take revenge against him, but Saul refused to extend mercy to David and in doing so, set himself up for tragedy. God expects us to show mercy as an expression of thanksgiving for the abundant mercy he has shown us. 

Do you need to extend mercy to someone today? Then do it!          

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God blesses those people who are merciful. They will be shown mercy!

~Matthew 5:7 Contemporary English Version

 

So let us continue coming with courage to the throne of God’s unmerited favor to obtain his mercy and to find his spiritual strength to help us when we need it.

~Hebrews 4:16 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People

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Is Asking God for Mercy a Way Out of Trouble?

Asking God for mercy is one of our most important requests. Mercy implies our need to be forgiven and cleansed for violating our conscience and choosing to sin. Asking God for mercy is synonymous with seeking his insight and wisdom.

Saul, the first king of Israel, believed he could overcome any force that threatened his authority – a faulty assumption. David’s attitude was one of dependency on God’s strength and mercy. Here is his plea: “May your unfailing love, your mercy come to me, O Lord, as well as the salvation you promised.”

The gift of salvation implies deliverance, pardon, grace and mercy, even though it isn’t deserved. 

David realized his inadequacy for managing the troubles he faced. The strategy he employed was to sincerely ask God for mercy. He believed God’s mercy would defend and save him. God’s mercy is available to anyone who sincerely seeks it and who will extend mercy to others.                       

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Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ Jesus even when we were dead in transgressions…And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.

~Ephesians 2:4,6 New International Version

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How Does Trusting God Affect Our Faith?

Pesky little problems have a way of evolving into significant trouble when left unattended. While we are not immune to fatigue by prolonged troubles, logic and reason warn us to avoid responding as if warning signs are of no concern. It is important to properly evaluate trouble rather than ignore it.

King Saul created trouble for himself and his family by believing David was an enemy rather than a loyal servant. Driven by suspicion, Saul was set on an endless pursuit of David, who refused to take hostile action against him. David even prevented his friends from killing Saul.

As a man of integrity, David was loyal to his commitments. Listen as he struggled to manage his relationship with Saul: “May the Lord God judge between you and me, and may he avenge the wrongs you have committed against me.” 

David trusted God to deliver him from Saul, and that confidence kept him true to his conscience and integrity.   

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Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from old. Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord.

~Psalm 25:6-7 New International Version

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Can Character and Integrity Help in Coping with Injustice?

It’s not unusual to be blamed for something you did not do. What’s upsetting is being unable to convince the accuser that nothing hurtful was  intended. Most disconcerting is attacks on one’s integrity and character. This happened to David.

David’s character and integrity, combined with his leadership skills, pushed Saul to the limits of being able to cope with David’s popularity with the people. It undoubtedly hurt David to the depths of his soul to have been accused by Saul of wanting to kill him.

Listen to David plea to Saul from 1 Samuel 24: “Look at this piece of cloth I cut off your robe while you were sleeping. Recognize and understand I am not guilty of wanting to kill you. I have not wronged you, but you are fixated on trying to kill me.” Can you hear David’s defense of being  innocent? 

God’s word tells us not to grow weary in doing good, for he will reward those who do what is right by staying within the boundaries God has for everyone.  

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Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

~Proverbs 4:23 New International Version

 

I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity.

~1 Chronicles 29:17 New International Version

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How Important Is Integrity in Your LIfe?

Scheduling time is a necessary and important part of our daily lives.  Being on time for important events and appointments say volumes about our values and character. The core values our attitudes and integrity represent are commitment as well as performance.

Proverbs 11:2 makes an interesting observation related to integrity: “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” Integrity portrays commitment to high moral principles that do not vacillate with every wind that blows or with how much stress must be endured.

Listen to David’s words to Saul from 1 Samuel 24: “This day you have seen with your own eyes how the Lord delivered you into my hands. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you. I will not lift my hand against the Lord’s anointed.” 

Integrity is a treasure worth protecting regardless of the pressure or stress life presents.           

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Please [O God] help me learn to do the right thing, and I will be honest and fair in my own [life]. I refuse to be corrupt or to take part in anything crooked, and I won’t be dishonest or deceitful. 

~Psalm 101:2-4 Contemporary English Version

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What Vision and Purpose Are Laid Out for Your Life?

One characteristic unique to each person is the capacity to hope for a contented future. This hope gave birth to the discovery and growth of our own nation. Proverbs 29:18 issues this warning: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

Lewis Johnson offers this advice: “The idea is to seek a vision that gives you purpose in life plus energy for implementing the vision. Having a vision implies taking action, or the vision will sink back into nothingness.” David believed God had a purpose for his life and had saved him for that purpose.

David had an opportunity to kill Saul, but he refused to do it, for that would negate God’s purpose and timetable. David’s strategy for managing trouble was to listen to his conscience while believing God would provide guidance for the future. 

When your conscience is enlightened by the Holy Spirit, God can bring to fruition his purpose as well as your hopes and dreams. Believe that!                    

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In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.

~Matthew 5:16 Good News Bible

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What Helps You Recognize the Voice of Jesus?

Trouble can invariably steal away a peaceful and contented lifestyle when we’re least expecting its intrusion. This infers that no one has the privilege of avoiding trouble that visits each person at varying intervals throughout life. Even children face issues that could overwhelm adults.

Everyone must learn strategies for managing problems at different levels of intensity. David, out of necessity, learned to use the slingshot to protect himself and his sheep from predators. A basic strategy David used to manage his troubles was to seek God with all of his heart and then ask him for help.

Jesus reminds us that he is the Good Shepherd and his sheep know his voice and follow him. There isn’t a situation you could be facing that’s beyond help from God. 

Jesus specifically encourages you to call on him when you are troubled and he will answer according to your need. Eagerly wait for Jesus to respond to your call for help. 

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Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.

~Proverbs 10:9 New International Version

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Is It Always Possible to Remain in God's Plan and Purpose?

Time doesn’t always present an opportunity to assess how trouble can be managed best. In a documentary on predators, a wolf had stripped away a large piece of meat from a dead animal. As she stopped to enjoy her meal, an eagle promptly swooped down and snatched the meat from her.

As a young man, David was naïve enough to believe Saul would never think of him as a rival. Saul was David’s father-in-law and the father of his best friend Jonathan. Imagine Saul, in a fit of rage, hurling a spear at David with the psychotic intent to kill him!

A strategy David tested to sidestep Saul’s jealousy was to walk away. Sidestepping a conflictual situation can symbolize God’s willingness to help in times of trouble. 

While David was never able to be at peace with Saul, David remained faithful to God’s plan and purpose by being a man after God’s own heart. You can remain in God’s favor as well when faced with trouble.                     

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Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings as eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.

~Isaiah 40:30-31 New International Version

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Do God's Requirements for Us Change?

Trouble is often analogous to being caught in a briar patch. While troubles can be discouraging, most can be managed. There are strategies for diminishing trouble’s impact. The first strategy is to correctly evaluate it to prevent you from overreacting, which produces stress and anxiety.

Facing trouble is similar to experiencing pain and believing the worst case. The other extreme is denying a problem exists. Charles Schultz, creator of the Peanuts comic strip, waited too long to seek help, and cancer killed him. So consult with qualified professionals.

“In the days of my trouble I will call on you, O Lord, and you will answer me” was David’s faith when trouble confronted him. David asked his friend Jonathan for help to avoid being caught and killed by Saul. 

God will send help, so be alert and ready to receive it, but be patient, for God’s time frame is always best.                         

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He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

~Micah 6:8 New International Version

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Is Help Available for Those Facing Trouble?

Troubles can complicate the normal ebb and flow of life regardless of social status or religious beliefs. Trouble can be discouraging, especially for good, upright people who believe in God. Proverbs 11:8 offers support: “The righteous are rescued from trouble, but the wicked fall into it.”

This does not imply God’s people are exempt from trouble, but God helps them manage what must be faced. David believed in God, but his faith did not prevent Saul from becoming obsessed with murderous rage. God used Jonathan, Saul’s son, to rescue David on several occasions.

When you ask God for help to manage trouble, he may rescue you through the effort of others. Keep in mind David did not perpetually bring trouble on himself through irresponsible behavior, so the way was open for God to help him.

When faced with troubles, pursue help from God’s mercy and goodness and from God’s people.                    

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Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

~Isaiah 41:10 New American Standard Bible 

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How Does Jealousy Blind Us from Seeing the Truth?

Troubles come in varying degrees of intensity and duration to test each person’s determination, not only to stand against it but to successfully use it for good. When King Saul perceived David as a rival, jealousy became so intense, all sanity escaped his conscious mind.

Jealousy can be helpful by creating an urgency to communicate and understand what has created such intense conflict to threaten the security of a relationship. Destructive fits of rage may be levied against perceived enemies, real or imagined.

Jealousy has the potential of blinding a person to the truth. When jealousy surfaces, seek help from a trusted friend or counselor. Be willing to accept the truth. Jesus said, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” Ask yourself: “What is God wanting me to accept about myself at this moment so he can bless me and I can bless others?” Do that now. 

 

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I long for your deliverance; I have looked to your word, placing my hope in it.

~Psalm 119: 81 International Standard Version

 

The one who loves us gives us an overwhelming victory through all these difficulties.

~Romans 8:37 God’s Word Translation

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How Do You Secure the Presence of God in your Life?

The cutting edge of trouble slices into each person’s daily life. Jesus said, “In this world you will face trouble.” Yet he offered this assurance: “Take heart!  I have overcome the world.” Jesus believed in God’s power and presence even as he confronted life’s greatest evil.

When we’re forced to face our troubles, we can do so by believing God’s presence and power reside in us not just for coping with what life has hurled our way, but to give us wisdom for how to overcome any issue. God provides faith for moving against insurmountable odds.

God’s power and presence are available to those who trust him to help with trouble regardless of its dominance. 

God’s saving grace stands ready to snatch anyone back from the edge of despair, as mustard-seed faith reaches out to God’s love and mercy. God responds to your heart’s desperation as it opens wide to receive strength and healing.                 

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Fight the good fight, finish the race, keep the faith. Then there will be laid up for you a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award you on that day.  

~2 Timothy 4:7-8 (English Standard Version but Stated as a Challenge)

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Should the Presence of God Be Desired When Facing Trouble?

Facing trouble is not an occasional experience, for each new day presents new trouble. Yet most people begin the day convinced they are in charge of their serenity. Then when critical issues arise, they feel comforted by believing God is present to help.

When David came into Saul’s life, Saul felt fortunate and pleased. Saul gave him a high commission in the army that previously had gone to experienced commanders. As David’s success accrued, the more praise and admiration the people voiced for him

1 Samuel 18 informs us Saul began to fear David, even perceived him as an enemy as his ability to cope with David’s success faded away. There’s a correlation between managing life’s troubles and sensing God’s presence to give insight and wisdom for problem solving. 

Jesus prompts us to seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness so that help will be forthcoming.                        

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We rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

~Romans 5:3-5 New Living Translation

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