But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. — Matthew 9:13

God is kind to us. Yes, we recall those burning moments when he got sick and weary of his people’s wickedness and disobedience and lost it. But we remember them because they were so uncommon and rare throughout the hundreds of years he led the Israelites. God has expressed his feelings to us. Despite Jonah, God revealed it to Nineveh. God revealed what was in his heart via Jesus’ kindness to others. God has shown his kindness and love by calling us, both sinners, to his side and rescuing us. He will not allow us to remain unchanged and content with our sin. He does, indeed, exhort us to repentance. But it almost seems too wonderful to be true that the Almighty God, who lords over heaven and earth, would stop what he’s doing and allow us in so we might experience his grace. The same God expects us to be merciful to others.

 

Thought

God is kind to us. Yes, we recall those burning moments when he got sick and weary of his people’s wickedness and disobedience and lost it. But we remember them because they were so uncommon and rare throughout the hundreds of years he led the Israelites. God has expressed his feelings to us. Despite Jonah, God revealed it to Nineveh. God revealed what was in his heart via Jesus’ kindness to others. God has shown his kindness and love by calling us, both sinners, to his side and rescuing us. He will not allow us to remain unchanged and content with our sin. He does, indeed, exhort us to repentance. But it almost seems too wonderful to be true that the Almighty God, who lords over heaven and earth, would stop what he’s doing and allow us in so we might experience his grace. The same God expects us to be merciful to others.

 

Prayer

We are grateful to the All-Powerful God for being both loving and powerful, kind and holy, and tolerant and just. Please assist me in honing these character qualities. I want to be right even if I don’t want to be righteous. I want to be nice and powerful; I don’t want to be nasty. I want to be straightforward and kind, not preachy. Please infuse me with your Spirit and gently encourage me to develop and alter where it is necessary. May I reflect you to those around me. In Jesus’ precious name I pray. Amen.