ARE YOU LOOKING AT GOD'S MERCY AS A QUICK FIX?

Today's promise: God is merciful to us

Are you looking at God's mercy as a quick fix?

After giving instructions to completely destroy a town, including its people and livestock, should the people of Israel be enticed to turn to the worship of foreign gods? Moses tells the people: Keep none of the plunder that has been set apart for destruction. Then the Lord will turn from his fierce anger and be merciful to you. He will have compassion on you and make you a great nation, just as he solemnly promised your ancestors.

The Lord your God will be merciful only if you obey him and keep all the commands I am giving you today, doing what is pleasing to him.

Deuteronomy 13:12-18 NLT

A sincere heart

These verses make it clear that God's mercy is extended to those whose hearts are sincere. The Israelites were headed for a land that, much like our society today, was infested with materialism, the craving of creature comforts and "the good life." God is not interested in sharing his mercy with those who simply need a quick fix for the problems their sinful lifestyles have created. Such people have no intention of accepting God's mercy as a new lease on life; they are simply looking for a way to save themselves from deserved consequences.

God wants to show us abundant mercy, but he is looking for those who will gratefully accept it and allow it to change the way they live. Do you want God's mercy as a quick fix or as a permanent new way of life?

From the TouchPoint Bible
(Tyndale House), p 167

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House