The Extent of a Merciful God

It seems that everywhere I read in the Scriptures, no matter how sinful the people were, God always extended mercy.


Judges 1 and 2 was where I meditated today. 


Joshua led the people into the promised land and gave them the orders of the Lord before He died.  The Israelites failed to obey. Every single tribe failed to drive out the heathen and idolaters in the land they were given. The cycle continued.  The anger of the Lord burned against them; He verbally reproved them; they lifted up their eyes to heaven, wept and sacrificed to their God.


Judges 2:10 "All that generation also were gathered  to their fathers; and there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel."


The baton was not passed. The mandate given to the people in Deuteronomy 6:7-8 was forgotten.


Lord, help me to pass your goodness and the Gospel on to the next generation by my daily interaction with my children. Help me to NOT forget to instruct them. Grant me strength in this task.


So, one would conclude what is stated next; "Then the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals, and they forsook the Lord their God...."


The cycle: God's anger burned; He gave them over to their enemies; wherever they went the hand of the Lord was against them.


As I read verse 16 of chapter 2, tears began to flow.


"Then the Lord raised up judges who delivered them from the hands of those who plundered them." WHAT??? They don't deserve this Lord.


I don't deserve this.


The mercy God displays to His children is astounding. I need this mercy every day. God's love and covenant with His children is never-ending. His promises to Abraham WOULD be fulfilled. His promises to me, His child, WILL be fulfilled.


I am awestruck by this mercy.

Unmatched Kindness

I find myself so prone to judging others. As I am reading through, Brokenness, by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, I am realizing the reason for this attitude.

Pride. Plain and simple. It is a nasty snare that can so subtly creep up and entangle my heart.

Along side this book I am studying the book of Romans and wouldn't you just know it? They go hand in hand. As I read through Romans chapter 1 yesterday, much of it was a reminder of things I've already heard. Man has no excuse to reject God; for God has written His law on each man's heart as well as creation shouting out His majesty. Then I came to verse 28.

"And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper."

I thought, "In order to NOT acknowledge God, they had to acknowledge Him at one time. I certainly am not in that category. I have not been given over to my sin. I have not murdered."

You can fill in the blank. I have not........

I come to chapter 2 and BAM!!! I realize the pride. Without Christ I am capable of everything Paul lists in chapter 1. I pass judgment on those doing these "wicked" things. Have I been angry? I've murdered. Have I been impatient? I've hated. I've thought I'm better than others. How wicked!

Then Paul asks the reader, "Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?"

It was God's kindness, compassion, and patience that drew me and yet, so often, I demand judgment on others.

Forgiveness is what is needed. For me.

A legacy goes on and on and on.....

It really does!

"Mr. Cartwright" and I were talking the other day about the day we will stand before Christ to receive our judgment, either good or bad.

I was encouraged by this, though at times it can seem as if many of my days are fruitless.

He exhorted me by relaying what he had heard earlier in the day on a broadcast with David Jeremiah, teacher on Turning Point.

This question was asked:When my body goes into the ground at death, why do I not immediately receive judment?

The answer was offered: Our deeds go on even after we die.

I stopped to consider this truth. Think about it. How many books have you read lately that transformed your life that were authored by "dead" men? Amazing, huh?

And, so , I think we can even use this to remind us of how important our lives as mommies are. We really do have the opportunity to raise children to make a difference. And even after we are gone, what we have taught (or not taught) will live on.

I ask you, "How will this change the way you talk to your four year old today?"

Everyday Talk is so very vital, and not just for today.

Day Three ~ The Flood and Judgment

Reading Genesis 6-8 was our reading tonight for the Jesse Tree.

After our family worship time, I am extremely thankful for the promise of the rainbow. My thoughts also went here:

There is one last judgment that must spur me on to worshipping and witnessing.

God's holiness must not be spurned.

Trust God even when what he asks of me seems insurmountable.