How Resolute Is God's Gift of Mercy?

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, and whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” I memorized this verse as a child, for it’s a proclamation of God’s unquestionable love and his gift of mercy.

Imagine a father playing games with his children and letting them win. His love and mercy for his children build a strong relationship that will endure for whatever life presents. No one is above the need for God’s gift of mercy.

We are all subject to straying from God’s mercy and love by becoming obsessed with what life offers, but God does not let go of us. Psalm 85 declares, “Mercy and truth meet together. Righteousness and peace will embrace. Mankind’s need for mercy will reach up to God from the earth, and God’s righteousness will be extended from heaven to comfort his people.” Praise God for his kindness, goodness, and love!          

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Do not withhold your mercy from me, O Lord; may your love and your truth always protect me.

~Psalm 40:11 New International Version

 

Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

~Proverbs 28:13 New International Version

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The Right Thing for the Right Reason

An interesting component of Joseph’s character was his ability to carve out a niche for himself despite difficult conditions. From his adolescence, he was not given a choice about where or how he would spend his life. Yet he had this fantastic capacity for thinking rationally and logically toward discovering how to use a situation for his best good.

 

C. S. Lewis said in Mere Christianity, "Right actions done for the wrong reason do not build the quality of character known as integrity. It’s this quality of character that matters.” The reason for Joseph’s conduct was his strong belief that God had a purpose for him wherever he was and whatever he had to do.

Joseph found a niche for himself in prison, but it was his integrity that convinced the warden to trust him. So, when he least expected it, he was summoned to the court of Pharaoh, King of Egypt. God had a place for him because he demonstrated faith and integrity in every situation. Joseph consistently did the right thing for the right reason.  

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The one who lives with integrity will be helped, but one who distorts right and wrong will suddenly fall.

~Proverbs 28:18 Holman Christian Standard Bible

In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

~Titus 2:7-8 New International Version

The integrity of the honest keeps them on track; the deviousness of crooks brings them to ruin. 

~Proverbs 11:3 The Message