Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! James 2:12-13
Dear Lord Jesus, my heart is large today with the magnificence and measure of your mercy. By your life, death and resurrection, you’ve accomplished everything necessary… not just to reconcile me to God… but also to place me in his eternal favor and constant delight. Mercy trumped judgment, on my behalf! I’m no longer afraid to die or live. I don’t have paralyzing fears about the next minute or the next millennium. And all doubts concerning God’s opinion of me have been settled. According to the Word, he loves me as much as he loves you.
Now, all day long… every minute of every day, Jesus, you constantly mercy me. You don’t give me what, in reality, I deserve, instead you give me mercy upon mercy and grace upon grace. In the gospel you’re incessantly speaking words of encouragement, hope, and kindness to me. Even when you have to correct me… which is quite often, you give me “life giving rebukes”… not shame inducing stares or guilt inflicting words. Mercy continually trumps judgment, on my behalf.
Jesus, you’ve completely reoriented my relationship to the Scriptures, as well. The law that used to condemn me now consoles me—that which used to be a source of fear in me has become a source of freedom for me. Because the gospel is true, I can now honestly say, “the law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul”—my soul.
Jesus, in view of so much mercy, I have no excuses, so I’ll make none. I cannot justify the judgmental, score-card-keeping, irritated attitude I’ve been brewing and sipping lately. I repent. As mercy has triumphed over me, may it triumph in me and through me. Help me to bless and not curse… to believe the best and not rehearse the worse… to see others with your eyes and love them with your heart. So very Amen, I pray, in your loving and strong name.
