Mercy, Mercy, Mercy

A mother once approached Napoleon seeking a pardon for her son. The emperor replied that the young man had committed a certain offense twice and justice demanded death.

"But I don't ask for justice, the mother explained. "I plead for mercy.?

"But your son does not deserve mercy,? Napoleon replied.

"Sir, the woman cried, "It would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask for.

"Well, then, the emperor said, "I will have mercy? And he spared the woman's son.

(Luis Palau, Experiencing God's Forgiveness, Multnomah Press: 1984)

 

Mercy!  Yes, that’s what I want.  No, that's not right.  Mercy, that’s what I need. 

 

Mercy. I need it from God, because I am sinner. 

 

Mercy.  I need it from the government, because I am a lawbreaker. 

 

Mercy.  I need it from strangers, because I am human and rip them off, and disregard them, and take advantage of them. 

Mercy.  I need it from my friends, because I take them for granted and I use them for my own goals. 

Mercy.  I need it from my family because I expect too much from them and because they know me too well. 

Oh, yes, back to God, I need mercy from God because he also knows me too well.

Mercy is not getting what one deserves.

Oh, there is so much talk these days about justice.  Don’t tell me about justice.  It isn’t Good News.  I don’t want it for me.  Give me mercy.    

Let me ask you, would you want someone to be more just or more merciful?  Some people think that vengeance and revenge is justice being handed out.  Justice can also require restitution.  I thank God that Christ provided that once and for all.  If salvation depends on God’s justice we will never be saved.  It must be a product of mercy.

 

Merciful God, give me Mercy.  That's what I ask.  That's what I need.

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