Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 19,20,21; John 8:1-29
“And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait; let me fall now into the hand of the LORD; for very great are his mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man” 1 Chronicles 21:13 (KJV)
Have you ever wondered why our God is so merciful? Why does He allow us over and over again before taking action? I have come to only one reason, though there be thousands more; He created us for a purpose and still gives us chance to come to ourselves so as to fulfil purpose. Remember the story of the women who argued over who the mother of the child brought before King Solomon was; by the wisdom of God, Solomon discerned that the real mother would not want her child to be hurt and handed the baby over to her (1 Kings 3:16:27). The same way, God continues to shower us mercy because He does not want any to be destroyed, thereby giving us another chance to succeed.
Mercy overrules every judgement against you. David understood God’s mercies as his life as a whole was purely God at work in the life of a man. So, when he was moved by the devil to do something wrong against God by numbering Israel, and three offers of punishment was laid before him, he chose not to fall in the hand of man. It still baffles me how man treat one another. Wickedness and lack of consideration for one another is the norm today. No wonder David would rather God punish him than man.
In the bible reading of today, a woman was caught in adultery and was brought to Jesus to hear what He has to say. The woman has been condemned already to death by stoning according to Moses’ law. Unknown to them God does not think like man. Jesus did not come to condemn but to show mercy. He is merciful and does not want anyone to be destroyed but for all to attain to repentance. His reply caught them unawares, “… he that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” John 8:7 (KJV). They all left one after the other, pricked in their conscience because all have sinned either secretly or publicly but were just not caught like the woman.
The bible says “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23 (KJV). But “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” God has extended His Hand of mercy and forgiveness in the person of the Lord, Jesus Christ. As we come to Him in repentance, He is merciful to let the past go and give us a new lease of life.
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your mercy which overrules every judgement against me in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ.
Bro. Onyema Aghanenu