Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath. Psalm 78:38, NIV
As humans, we are so imperfect. Even with godly hearts and good intentions, we still mess up and need mercy and forgiveness. Praise God for His incredible mercy that we receive so undeservingly. I thank Him because his mercies and compassion are “new every morning” (Lam. 3:22-23) because I usually need them that often. As His children, we press His patience, sometimes to the extreme, but His compassion endures.
How many of you have someone in your life who pushes your patience to the extreme? How are you at being compassionate?
Do your family, friends, and students have a clean slate with you every morning, or do you add up and cling to their mistakes and misbehaviors? Do you hold their mistakes against them, or do you forgive and nurture better things from them? Are we quick to judge, or have mercy?
Do you know someone who keeps a count of your faults and mistakes? Maybe it is your own parents or in-laws, a boss, or a leader in an organization you belong to. Do you feel like you make more mistakes around them because of the pressure? Have you given up trying to do your best when you are around them because you feel like it will never be recognized?
What can you do to make sure your students, friends, and family don’t feel this way when they are around you? Do you know someone who could use a little mercy right now? How can each of us carry out the attribute of being merciful in our daily environment (classroom, hallways, meetings, cafeteria, office, etc.)?
Dear Lord, Thank You for Your mercy, new to me every morning. Please remind me today to offer mercy to others. Amen.
Copyright Kathy Branzell.
Kathy has a heart for encouraging Christian educators and currently serves as the President of the National Day of Prayer Task Force. Prior to this role, she was the founder and president of Fellowship and Christian Encouragement (FACE) for Educators.
