Month: September 2020

A Bridge of Mercy

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Forgive us our debts and we forgive our debtors    Matthew 6:12 ESV

I like the idea that if I am merciful to people; I can count on God forgiving my sins. But we can’t just close our eyes and say, “God I forgive everyone.” God wants us to forgive actual hurtful things people have done. Several years ago I worked for a man who was well liked in our community though he always paid his bills late. But one year after I had worked for Bob several times without getting paid I began to get upset. Thanksgiving came and went with no check. Then Christmas and New Years passed with the same result. I was angry. Bob had promised payment for my hard work but it never came. Then one day as I was praying God spoke to me. “Pete; you’ve got to let this go.”Oh I hated doing that! I had trusted Bob and worse yet most people thought he was a great guy!! But I knew God was right. At first I told God I would forgive and even threw the bill away. But whenever I passed Bob at the store I would remember his bill. Then God spoke to me again and asked; “Are you as happy to see Bob as I am to see you after your sins have been forgiven?” I bowed my head in shame. I saw that forgiving meant treating Bob, like Jesus treated me. Stepping away from demanding my money set me free to really forgive. Giving mercy means building a bridge of forgiveness for others to cross back to you, just as God built a bridge at Calvary for everyone. He freely forgives! What about you? I am ending today’s devotion with some of my favorite songs about mercy. Have a wonderful and merciful day!

No Justice No Peace?

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. Luke 23:34 ESV

I was struck by two events today: one great – the other terribly sad. First the great! Our church re-opened after 6 months: Yay!! Pastor Johnny Scott came in after an awesome worship service and preached on the unity that Jesus prayed for before He went to the cross.

He shared the message that we desperately need a revival of the holiness and unity in the church that Jesus prayed for. We are not divided in Christ. We are all His family. We are from every race and every nation. We are each unique. We are all kinds of people both poor and rich. No matter what anyone else thinks Jesus thought we were valuable enough to give His life for us.

But I was also struck by a sad second event that happened in Compton California today. There two deputies from the sheriff’s department lay in a hospital room fighting for their lives. They had been ambushed and shot in the head by unknown people who had as their goal division and hate.

Photo by Vidal Balielo Jr. on Pexels.com

Shockingly, while doctors and nurses battled to save their lives, a crowd gathered outside the emergency entrance of the hospital shouting for the death of the police. It reminded me of another scene 2,000 years ago when a different crowd demanded for Jesus to be crucified and Barabbas the murderer set free. They loudly screamed and insisted for so long that finally Pontius Pilate ordered for Jesus to be led away to Golgotha.

“No Justice – No Peace!” Is one of those often used phrases in the social justice movement. Of course it sounds pretty snappy, but I for one am glad that Jesus chose different words as He hung on the cross. Instead of demanding justice and the death of His executioners; He chose words of true peace. If Jesus had waited around for the world to get good enough to deserve His peace, He would still be waiting today. Instead He offered forgiveness. He offered a full pardon for all of us who are as guilty as Barabbas and as worthy of punishment as the shooters of those two innocent deputies. We have all sinned and wandered away from God’s love. The good news for today, is that Jesus came to bring something way better than justice. Jesus came to bring mercy. Jesus came to love. Those are things that I desperately need! How about you?

High Places

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God the Lord is my strength, He makes my feet like the deer’s, He makes me tread on my high places. Habakkuk 3:19 ESV

Maybe you’ve never read the book of Habakkuk or know only this final verse from a wall plaque you saw somewhere. But when life seems stressed and uncertain facing the Corona virus stalking our streets and violence threatening our society then the previous 3 chapters of this prophecy start to make sense.

In Habakkuk’s day his nation had fallen so far away from God that many were even sacrificing their children to the God Moloch in hopes of personal prosperity. There was political corruption, widespread looting and religious hypocrisy at the highest level. But these were the least of the problems that the prophet faced. On top of everything else God had allowed the merciless armies of Babylon victory after victory as they were battling against the final remnants of his nation’s defenses. A quick look at the previous 3 chapters is like the darkness of a horror film. There seemed no hope in Habakkuk’s mind as he begins writing his lament. But as Habakkuk cries out in prayer detailing his fears confusion and frustration, God answers. The Lord assures the prophet and us that no matter how bleak things appear that God has not forgotten His people or His promises. He lets us know that one day the wicked rulers of Babylon will themselves be overthrown. One day the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God. But just as the situation is with us today; that victory might be a long time coming. So what about now? What about the mountain we have to climb right in front of us?

We can be encouraged that even in our darkest most dangerous situation God will be with us. Jesus not only promises to walk by our side in our suffering, He knows the depth of our fears because He faced them Himself on the cross. He suffered willing, innocently and was forsaken on His high place called Calvary. There He purchased not only our salvation but also our victory so we would not face our own high places alone!