SEATS OF MERCY
So, whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.
James 2:12-13 (NLT)
The phrase save me a seat is one you've probably said or been asked to do at some point in life. We can physically save a seat for someone on a bus, a train, a sporting event or even in church. We can also have one saved for us. What we're doing, in essence, is allowing ourselves to be at the mercy of the one saving the seat, trusting that we'll have a spot.
Now, think about a time you attended an event and saw an open seat, only to have someone say, Sorry, this seat is taken. That always frustrates me, but really, the frustration should be at myself, not the people saving a seat. Other times, someone would say, Hey, I got a seat over here, even though I was late for the event; someone showed me mercy and offered me a seat. I certainly did not deserve that.
Without the mercy of God, where would I sit? We're called to show mercy because we have been shown mercy first by God through Jesus' sacrifice. We're called to have tough conversations with others about their lives and decisions and to share the way that points toward God's mercy, where Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father. Through Him, we are made right. Are we saving seats today just for those we choose, for all who need mercy in Jesus, or are we playing a constant game of Mercy with others, trying to force them into submission?
APPLICATION: Think of the people you encounter every day. How much mercy are we extending to them, and how much mercy are we expecting to receive? Does it balance out? Work towards balancing that scale in your life today.
PRAYER: Father, only in Your presence, because in my own ways, I have no chance. But, because of Your grace and mercy, I have a seat that You have saved for me. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?