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. 

_____________________ 

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

 _____________________

Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.  

God's Blessings – Joy Unspeakable!

In the church I attended as a child, the congregation was fond of singing the hymn, Count Your Blessings. The chorus concludes with "Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done." Counting blessings is an effective way of expressing thanksgiving, which contributes to happiness and peace.

Irving Berlin knew it was impossible to experience continuous good times, yet he composed numerous songs expressing his gratitude for the blessings of living in America. When you’re willing to count your blessings, it’s apparent that God's gifts outshine the glitter of all other possessions.

Abraham Lincoln told a man in a large group of former slaves of Virginia who had been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation: "Don't kneel to me. That is not right. You must kneel to God only and thank Him for the liberty you will henceforth enjoy." God's greatest gift is Jesus Christ, who gives us freedom from sin. This liberty gives us joy unspeakable! For that we can be sincerely thankful. 

______________________ 

Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! For in our union with Christ he has blessed us by giving us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly world. Let us praise God for his glorious grace, for the free gift he gave us in his dear Son! For by the blood of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven.  

~Ephesians 1:3, 6-7 Good News Bible

Striking a Bargain with God

Making a complete directional change in life is not an easy task. That was the case with Jacob, the man who stole from his brother and deceived his father. Even after the Lord appeared to him in a dream and laid out in vivid language a promise of blessings, Jacob still had to make sure God understood his own terms of acceptance.

God could have dished out severe punishment to Jacob but chose to bless him. Listen to Jacob’s response. “If God will be with me and give me food to eat and clothes to wear so I can return safely to my father’s house, then the Lord will be my God and I will set a marker here to be God’s house. What he gives me I will give back a tenth.”

 

Have you made similar bargains with God in moments of crises? God did not insist on conditions for the beginning of Jacob’s redemption. His desire was to give Jacob a new beginning, free of conditions and sin. God’s word: “As far as the East is from the West, I will remember your sins no more.” Christ Jesus will to do the same for you. 

Rising Above Character Weaknesses - Part 3

I was surprised when Saul, the first king of Israel, was featured in my college abnormal psychology text book. The way Saul is portrayed in the Bible, it’s understandable why he could be the subject for discussion in a psychology class at a state university.

Saul became so jealous of David that he tried to kill him. Initially Saul employed David to play the harp, which seemed to calm him when what were identified as evil spirits would take hold of him." This condition besieged Saul after the Spirit of the Lord departed him following his arrogant rejection of God's guidelines for his life.

Saul’s life doesn’t reflect complete failure. He forged together a nation out of twelve scattered tribes. He set up a state government and commanded an army that won major battles. He did, however, lose the battle for control over his weaknesses. Jesus said, "I have come to seek and save the lost," so our values should be anchored in Christ Jesus, who frees us from sin that besieges us. Great is God’s mercy!