mercy Archives – Sonshine's Journal

December 15, 2024December 15, 2024

12.15.24.God’s Mercy

Revelation 11 Antisemitism & Repentance

Step into this chapter with eyes wide open to see the mercy and judgment of God. John is told to measure the temple but not to measure outside the temple for it has been given to the Gentiles, and they will trample on the holy city for forty-two months.

Step into the scene and observe the temple closely for now we are given the ability to see a new event, the two witnesses who come with the message for all of mankind to repent. Who are these two witnesses? God has given us ideas but no definitive answer. These have the power to turn all water to blood and thus the refreshment of a cool drink is removed from all mankind. Is this God’s reminder of His power to do the same as He did in the Egyptian plagues? How did Pharaoh handle that when it happened centuries ago? Just as then, the power of antisemitism is alive and well. For three and a half years men will hear the words: repent. The witnesses are protected from evil but then are killed. But, God again is merciful as He allows a miracle. Just as the world looks on and rejoices over the death of these two, they see them resurrected after three days. Over and over God has demonstrated both His mercy and His judgment for He is not willing any to perish but come to repentance.

Just as now, so it will be then. In His mercy He has given men time to repent but also time to recognize that without repentance they will be lost. Have you repented so you will be saved?

December 5, 2024December 5, 2024

12.5.24. A King’s Prayer

Today as I in the past, we are a people that often face turmoil and distress of various things that come across our path. We are a people who feel lost and at times feel like we are alone. Yet, in the midst of this we have this promise: He who owns the cattle on a thousand hills is the author of our faith and He has the gift of mercy. Again we see the heart of David in his prayer as our example: I pour out my lament before him, I tell him about my troubles.

Psalm 142 David’s Prayer

To the Lord I cry out, to the Lord I plead for mercy

When you are in a “mess” is this how you face it? Do you cry out to the Lord? Do you plead for His mercy? King David has given us his prayers that we may know that he is a man just like us. In times of distress, David has gone to the throne of God to seek His face and His mercy. Can you hear his lament? Can you sympathize with him and want to help?

What trouble are you facing? Are you carrying this trouble to the Lord? Beloved, just as David found peace in the storm you can also for this is true: Even when my strength leaves me, you watch my footsteps.

July 18, 2024July 18, 2024

Are you listening?

Matt 11 Mercy not Sacrifice

Over and over, Jesus is gracious, but when the Pharisees continue to berate him, He speaks out and acts out for He is gracious. Why did Matthew paint such a contrast picture for his Jewish audience but to show them their heart. God sent His Son to save them but instead they reject Him. As it was then, it is today, nothing has changed when the heart is not changed. Matthew shows us the true heart of the Pharisees as a point to show us where our true heart is. Jeremiah wrote: “the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked,” [Jer 17:9]

Jesus graciously reveals His power to save when he heals and instead of rejoicing, these Pharisees condemn and plot to kill him. They are like King Arab who was given the promise of saving himself and his kingdom, but chose to ignore Elijah and in the end he was killed on the battlefield. God desires mercy, not sacrifice, but like the Pharisees we want to “earn” our salvation and reject the beautiful words of peace by our Savior.

Today, listen and heed the word of the Lord and be saved. Today is the day of salvation. What are you and I listening to; the voice of the enemy or the voice of the Lord?

January 2, 2023January 2, 2023

Blessings, Blameshifting, and Consequences

Gen 4-7 Three curses are mentioned in these chapters. First, the serpent would be cursed to crawl on its belly and eat the dust of the earth because it deceived Eve in the Garden. Secondly, the ground would be cursed because Adam and Eve blamed the serpent for their disobedience rather than confessing their sin to God. Third, Adam and Eve’s firstborn son, Cain, would be cursed by God for his murder and lie about Abel. Yet, in each, we see God’s grace.

There is a principle here: God wants us to confess our sin, not blame another or our circumstances. He is full of mercy, grace and patiently waits for us to repent of our sin. The Hebrews author wrote: “Let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.” [Heb 4:16] Neither the serpent, Adam, nor Cain took advantage of that. How about us?

Later, God graciously gave Adam and Eve a new son to replace Abel. Seth honored God, and unlike the line of Cain, his descendants began to call upon the name of the Lord. Out of his line came Enoch and Noah, who walked with God and were blessed by God.

God gave us these pictures to show us the effects of sin and the blessings of obedience.

May 30, 2022May 30, 2022

How Good a Detective are you?

Ps 18:25 Detectives gather evidence by searching for clues. The student of the Word is to do the same. Jesus drew from the psalms to teach his disciples the principle that how men treat others is how God will treat them. For example, the Psalmist reveals a clue about God’s mercy: Ps 18:25 ESV With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show yourself blameless. In Jesus’ often quoted Sermon on the Mount, he quoted this principle as part of the Beatitudes of Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful for they will receive mercy.”

Merciful is being compassionate, and mercy is helping the afflicted. In Luke 10:29-36 is an example of how this principle was lived out in living color. An injured man in need of compassion was left without help. It was not the priest or the Levite who passed by, but a “hated” Samaritan who came and offered help. Jesus used this to teach the principle of how we respond is how God will respond to us.

Where has God shown His compassion to you, and where are you demonstrating mercy to the afflicted?

Remember: God treats us in the same way we treat others.

October 9, 2021October 9, 2021

What is Mercy?

Mark 3; Luke 6; Matthew 12:1-21

Jesus came to heal the broken-hearted, bind up their wounds, and not condemn the guiltless. Mercy is reaching out to a man who has lived with a withered hand, thus hindering his ability to do manual work and restoring it no matter what day it is and even more so on the Sabbath. Mercy is looking at those who seek your life and choosing to walk away from their taunts. You decide not to engage them because that is a fruitless endeavor. Mercy is your broken heart, yet you choose to pray because conversations are unproductive until the Holy Spirit pricks their heart. Mercy recognizes that they may hate you, mock and scorn you, yet you are blessed as you face this day after day, moment after moment. Know this truth: your reward is great in heaven.

God knows you, He sees you, He chooses to bless you for your responses to these whose heart is hard. Continue, that means do not give up, to be merciful that those who are blind may one day see.

June 6, 2020

Do You Have God’s eyes to see?

Ps 41/Ps 33 “The Beatitudes of the Psalms.”

As a tax collector, Matthew was monetarily rich, and yet his heart was empty until Jesus called him. He left behind his riches to follow Christ and later recorded the teachings of Jesus that his fellow Jews might see the promised Messiah. Matthew 5 reveals what the world sees as upside-down theology. Instead of focusing on self first; focus on this principle: “So the last will be first, and the first last.” God looks at the heart and the actions that come from it. The principle is: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Centuries before Matthew wrote, David noted: “How blessed is the one who treats the poor properly!” These are the merciful, the compassionate, and the gracious. They pray not only for God’s eyes to see those in need, but then to treat them with grace.

Catherine Martin writes: “You can always spot those who know life in the garden of grace, for they act with unusual mercy and love, and they speak out of kindness and compassion rather than resentment and vengeance.” [1]

Psalm 41 ends: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.” Earlier David noted that God watches from heaven; he sees all people and takes note of all their actions.

Today ask the Lord to give you His eyes that you may see, minister, and be blessed.

Martin, Catherine, A Woman’s Walk in Grace, 2010 Harvest House Publishers
Photo: Dreamstime

December 11, 2019

Let Your Light Shine!

2tim 1 to 4 let light shine2a

Advent Series: 2Tim 1 Gifts!

The world is blind to the truth both visually and orally. We know that the enemy has blinded them so that they may not see the glorious Christ. They will turn away from the truth and turn to myths yet of all seasons, Christmas offers opportunities that open hearts. People are more open to the gospel message because it paints a picture of the many and beautiful gifts that God has promised to those who believe in him. Christmas gives us an opportunity for the three gifts that the Father has bestowed upon us of Grace, Mercy, and Peace to shine forth! We have them in abundance because we know that every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. In addition, God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control—which by the way is a Fruit of the Spirit!

It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. God wants us to be open to the opportunities that he places in our grasp. We must be ready in season and out of season with the message and be ready whether it is convenient or not!

Pray that God uses your gifts this season to proclaim the truth of the gospel just as Jesus said: let your light shine before people so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven. [Matt 5].

August 13, 2016

Judging—yes or no?

romans 2 mercy of god2 How often have we heard this phrase: you are judging. Yet, if truth be known we all judge. We judge which foods we want to eat based on likes and dislikes. We judge ideas by choosing truth from error. But, to judge another’s heart is for God alone for He is impartial. God knows which of the two kinds of people will stand before him one day: self-righteous sinner or repentant saved (saint) and he doesn’t really care if they are Jew or Gentile!

God sees the self-righteous person whose attitude is reflected in their judging of others while ignoring self-judgment first. The saved has a righteous attitude that recognizes one thing: it was God’s kindness that led him/her to repentance and therefore he has no need to judge for that is God’s prerogative . The sinner has failed to realize that he/she is without excuse when they judge someone else. For on whatever grounds they judge another, they condemn themselves, because they who judge practice the same things. [Rom 2:2 paraphrase]. Paul in writing to the Romans reminds them of this when he writes about their attitude: “you have contempt for the wealth of [God’s] kindness, forbearance, and patience,”

Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and a publican reveals this mindset. One day two men went up to the temple to pray. A confident Pharisee stood praying, thanking God for his accumulation of good works all the while judging others. In sharp contrast, the publican would not even look up to heaven and sought the mercy of God. Only one went home justified and it was NOT the Pharisee. He who has ears to hear learn this: “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” [Luke 18]

Like the publican we should be entreating God’s mercy so we can sing “thank you Lord for saving my soul, thank you Lord for making me whole
” for salvation is His work alone.

May 28, 2016

Psalm 51 “Sin, Forgiveness and Grace”

psalm 51 forgiveness2 Had King David remembered: “sin is crouching at the door, and its desire is for you, but you must master it” he would not have experienced an adulterous affair with Bathsheba nor committed murder to cover it up. Yet David concealed his sin and why God sent Nathan the prophet to him. As David realized this, a profound thought came to him as he confessed before a Holy God. “Against You, You only, I have sinned.”

No matter who the persons are involved, the sin is in reality against God and Christ who saved us and washed us from our sin. Like David, we think our sin is concealed or it does not impact anyone other than ourselves but this is a lie out of the pit of hell. Galatians reminds us that God will not be mocked and we reap what we sow. God told David, “ Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.[ 2Sa 12:10]

When David repented he heard Nathan the prophet say, “The Lord also has taken away your sin; you shall not die.” Reflecting on this, David entered the house of the Lord and experienced God’s greatest gift and mystery called forgiveness. All we have to do is to ask God to “Wash away my wrongdoing! Cleanse me of my sin!” Open hearts are ready to receive God’s grace and lovingkindness and understand more clearly God’s grace.

How do we know that transaction of forgiveness has taken place? Like David, we will experience peace and joy even as we face the consequences that follow.