God's Mercy or Man's?
I was thinking about the verse in the Bible where God gave David a choice for punishment after he took the census. David chose to put his life in God's hands instead of the hands of his enemies. It is in 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21. God showed David mercy here because David messed up.
2 Samuel 24:12 “Go and tell David, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am giving you three options. Choose one of them for me to carry out against you.’”
13 So Gad went to David and said to him, “Shall there come on you three years of famine in your land? Or three months of fleeing from your enemies while they pursue you? Or three days of plague in your land? Now then, think it over and decide how I should answer the one who sent me.”
14 David said to Gad, “I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into human hands.”
David knew to trust in the mercy of God rather than in men. Men would not show mercy like God would. When I look at the ones who do evil and hurt others just for money, greed, and pride, I want them to be punished. If it was up to me, I would send them to hell to suffer. That is what I think they deserve. But God is more compassionate and kind. He shows mercy. 2 Peter 3: 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. God will forgive them if they ask. He would save them if they came to Him and repented.
I need to forgive. The Bible tells us to forgive. And at times, we need God's help to do that. We need to have the heart that God has for people. We need to be patient, forgiving, merciful, and give them grace when needed. The Bible tells us to love our enemies and pray for them. That is not easy to do, especially when they just want to hurt us. It does not make sense, but it is God's way.
Matthew 5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Luke 6: Love for Enemies
27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
