Thoughts for another day

Sept. 5, 2011

Today's verse: Lk. 7:50. And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

When I was a kid, I heard a story: A teacher lived with many disciples in an ashram far away in a lonely place.  Many young men flocked to him for they were told of his wisdom and kindness and mercy.  The course of discipleship lasted for as long as the disciple liked to stay with the teacher.  One day a youth arrived, who as soon as he came, pledged to be better than the teacher.  He quickly absorbed all the teacher could teach.  Yet, when he asked the teacher whether he was ready, the teacher just smiled at him and said, 'you will know'. 

As years passed, he started comparing himself with his teacher, claiming he was better.  And in many ways he did come out better with superior wisdom, etc. yet none bothered to go to him.  They went instead to the old teacher for their learning.  This angered the disciple and this anger simmered so much that one day as the teacher was resting under a tree, he attacked him with a knife.  As the teacher lay dying, he spoke to the man even as the other disciples gathered and said, 'you're not ready because you have no mastery over yourself nor do you have mercy'.  'Yet' he continued, 'I have mercy on you and looking at the others pleaded them not to punish the disciple!'  With that he closed his eyes.  The disciple was spared because of the teacher's mercy.

My friend, God's mercy is even more than what we see in the teacher above.  He created us, but we rebelled against Him.  We piled woes on Him by our incessant sins and hurled grief in His heart.  Yet, He has mercy on us and loves us as if nothing had happened.  If you remember, Jesus never condemned His killers, but forgave them.  Such is God's mercy that even if we confess our guilt to Him at the last minute and repent, He will forgive and embrace as Jesus did the thief on the cross beside Him.  God's mercy is amazing my friend and it doesn't fall in drops as in the song, but rather like plentiful rain.  Today, if you realize what mercy God has for you, get on your knees and worship Him, He'll love you for that.