"Mercy"

When mercy’s what we try to give,

And refuse to hold a grudge,

We’re really learning how to live,

And obey the Spirit’s nudge,

To give as freely as we get,

Forgive as we’re forgiven,

Break free from every devil’s bet,

And find we’re really livin’.

It’s not the hurt they gave to us,

As deep as it may be,

But what the Lord said is a must,

If we’re to be set free.

And by His stripes the healing comes,

The grace to let it go,

Our wound to His word succumbs,

And then we truly know,

We can remember without pain,

Replaced by thoughts renewed,

Our anger on the Spirit’s rein,

And with His power endued.

So give the mercy that you got,

And find your freedom there,

Relief from everything you’ve fought,

And grace beyond compare.

“Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.  Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.  Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us together in perfect harmony.”  (Colossians 3:12-14, NLT)

A mark of God’s holy people is that we are merciful, not judgmental. The more we grow, the more merciful we will be. We will give forgiveness as freely as the Lord forgave us, and never hold a grudge. This is only possible if we rely on the grace offered through Jesus’ wounds. The Spirit helps us apply this grace so that the deepest hurts are relieved. We so thoroughly place these in God’s hands that we remember them differently. We no longer relive them with anger and pain, but with relief that they can no longer control us. God gives us mercy, then gives it through us.

Lord, help us to be merciful, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Bill Owen, cowhorsegallery.com, used by permission. Thanks, and God bless.