MERCY

Wednesday, April 25, 2012 - 1 Samuel 30, 31; 1 Chronicles 10; Matthew 12

S - Matthew 12:7 If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent.

O - Jesus is admonishing those religious people who condemn others' seemingly sinful behavior (like breaking the Sabbath) and yet refuse to show love, which was God's greatest commandment.

A - God wants us to love one another.  Yes, we are to point others' sins out to them when appropriate, but we are always to make our love known to them.  This is what good discipline is - think of disciplining our children.  Those who do so with love gain their children's love and respect in return.  Let us always remember to be merciful with each other, as God has shown mercy to us.

P - Lord, infuse me with Your mercy.  May others never see condemnation coming from my eyes or hear it from my lips, but let Your love be always evident through me.