Mercy – Not Revenge – Is Sweet

When Samson lost his new wife, he immediately responded by seeking revenge. Revenge for him was to burn every field of grain, all vineyards and olive groves of those who were the object of his rage. Revenge was not justice, but an act of violence meant to satisfy rage.   

In this state, Samson was driven to do what his brain instructed, no matter how destructive. In these moments of rage nothing can dissuade a person to change their mind. Only after the adrenaline subsides is it possible to make a limited analysis of what transpired.

When that moment arrives, fear creates the compulsion to hide, but Psalm 139 explains there is no escaping God's presence. "Where can I go from your Spirit Lord? You know all I do. You’re around me on every side; your powerful arm protects me." What God did to redeem and give us a new beginning and to free us from the bondage of sin, he did out of great love and mercy. Praise God for the love and mercy of Christ Jesus. 

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God was merciful! We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much that he made us alive with Christ, and God’s wonderful kindness is what saves you.

~Ephesians 2:4-5 Contemporary English Version

 

Let us therefore approach the throne of God with greatest confidence, that we may receive mercy for our failures and grace to help in the hour of need.

~Hebrews 4:16 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

 

For if you forgive other people their failures, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you will not forgive other people, neither will your Father forgive you your failures.

~Matthew 5:14-15 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

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Want Forgiveness? Then Forgive...

 Joseph’s brothers needed to be forgiven but would not ask for it until they experienced a severe crisis. Seeking forgiveness for their own cruel behavior did not come easy because they blamed Joseph, citing his pompous attitude as justification. God used circumstances to remind them where they had sinned and failed to be forgiving.

We as individuals have ways of suppressing guilt for failing to honor God’s requirement for forgiveness. We take the easy way out by denying we’re at fault and avoiding whomever we've offended. Yet God consistently gives us opportunities to clear the air. The sad part is we undermine God's purpose and plan for us. “If someone has something against you, go make it right.”

God understands our humanness including our lack of character strengths. What God expects from us is to forgive others, which requires close self-examination of our weaknesses including the tendency to be resistant. We must be vulnerable enough to see ourselves as needing God’s mercy and then to extend that mercy to others.  

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Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

~Colossians 3:13 The Living Bible

“In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part.”

~Matthew 6:14-15 The Message