Mercy Walks In
Well now, don’t just stand there like an ol’ possum starin’ at a glowin’ lantern. Welcome, welcome! You come on up here and sit for a spell. Reach over and pull up that ol’ rocker right over there and settle in real good. Look yonder! Do you see that lil’ ol’ goat standin’ up there on top of the shed beside the barn? I declare, I ain’t got the foggiest notion how he got himself up there, and I sure don’t know how we’re supposed to be gittin’ him down. Well, will you look at that! Ain’t that somethin’? He plum hopped right off that roof like he’d been doin’ it his whole life and trotted back to his momma like he had important business waitin’ on him.
So, today we’re talkin’ about grace instead of condemnation, the kind of truth that settles deeper than a river stone that has learned not to fear the strong water current. John 3:17 says, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” And to give this here truth even more depth, Psalm 130:7 says, “Hope in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption.” Friend, that there’s a reminder that God’s heart leans toward mercy like a sunflower leans toward daylight.
Now let’s brush off a few of them’ ol’ annoyin’ flyin’ bugs and talk real straight. John tells us that Jesus didn’t come stompin’ into the world like an ol’ barn rooster lookin’ for somebody to scold. He came to save, restore, and rescue. That means when you feel guilty, unworthy, or about as spiritually clumsy as an ol’ goat that wandered into the wrong pasture, God ain’t standin’ there waggin’ a finger at you. When we feel condemned or guilty, Psalm 86:5 steps right in and reminds us that the Lord is good, ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy. That’s not the posture of a God lookin’ to scold us. That’s the posture of a God who sent His Son to save us, just like John 3:17 promises. He’s reachin’ out with grace. He loved us so much that He sent His only Son to give us life we didn’t earn and mercy we could never manufacture.
Sure, Jesus exposes darkness, just like a flashlight exposes whatever critter has been rustlin’ under the porch. John 3:19 reminds us of that. But anyone who believes in Him and follows Him steps out of that darkness and into salvation. That’s not condemnation. That’s real freedom. And Psalm 130:7 tells us, “God’s redemption is abundant.” Not skimpy. Not rationed. Abundant. Like one of them blackberry patches that keeps right on producin’ long after you thought it was done.
If we git to followin’ the world’s ways, we end up mighty stuck, confused, and spiritually winded, kind of like a lil’ ol’ rabbit that accidentally ran the wrong way and got stuck between two hound dogs nappin’ out under the pecan trees. But when we follow Jesus, we step into eternal life, forgiveness, and a relationship with the God who delights in savin’ us. So, take a moment and thank Him for the gift of salvation that cost Him everything and cost you nothing.
Father, thank You for Your mercy. Thank You for sending Your Son to save us even though we did nothing to deserve it. Remind me today of Your free gift of salvation and give me boldness to share Your love with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Well, merciful heavens, friend, head right on out there and tackle your day like an ol’ barn cat that finally found the warmest patch of sunlight over by the steps. God’s grace is already stretchin’ out beside you, invitin’ you to be restin’ in it. So, walk on forward like a deer that finally decided to stop tiptoein’ and start trottin’. You aren’t condemned. You’re plum forgiven. You’re real free. And the God who saves is walkin’ every step of the way right there with you.
With joy,
Gwen
