SCRIPTURE:
“For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
And acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings” Hosea 6:64 “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:4-5
REFLECTION:
Mercy is the act of God; peace becomes the encountered response in the heart of man. In Life Together, Bonhoeffer states:
When God was merciful, when He revealed Jesus Christ to us as our Brother, when He won our hearts by His love, this was the beginning of our instruction in divine love. When God was merciful to us, we learned to be merciful with our brethren. When we received forgiveness, instead of judgment, we, too, were made ready to forgive our brethren.
Having mercy for His people led to the ultimate sacrifice for each of us. From the core of love, God made a way for us. God sacrificed out of His kind mercy, and love made a way for us to know, believe, and live in such love. This wasn’t for the sake of ritual or law. This was for the sake of Love.
“Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, what counts is the new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule-” Galatians 6:15-16
RESPOND:
- How have you been met with God’s mercy?
- Is there anything that hinders you from receiving or giving mercy?
- How does receiving His mercy for you, lead you to be merciful towards others?
PRAYER:
“Blessed is the one
who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.
Many, Lord my God,
are the wonders you have done,
the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
they would be too many to declare.
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—
but my ears you have opened—
burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
Then I said, ‘Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll.
I desire to do your will, my God;
your law is within my heart.’
I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips, Lord,
as you know.
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
from the great assembly.
Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;
may your love and faithfulness always protect me.” (Psalm 40:4-11)
