lord, have mercy
"Then the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, 'Have you seen that Ahab has humbled himself before Me?' " —1 Kings 21:28-29
The Lord is so merciful that, when we even begin to repent, He pours out His merciful love. Ahab was the most wicked man that had ever lived up to that time (1 Kgs 21:25). He had murdered Naboth just for a garden site. He would fit in well with Stalin or Hitler. Nonetheless, when Elijah prophesied the downfall of Ahab and his family, Ahab "tore his garments and put on sackcloth over his bare flesh. He fasted, slept in the sackcloth, and went about subdued" (1 Kgs 21:27). The Lord was pleased with Ahab's humility and fasting. He promised: "Since [Ahab] has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the evil in his time" (1 Kgs 21:29).
When one of the criminals crucified next to Jesus stopped blaspheming the Lord and asked Jesus to remember him, Jesus with His dying breath promised the man paradise with Him that day (Lk 23:43).
Jesus died to meet the demands of justice. Now He wants to do nothing but extend mercy to us. Let the Lord give you what you don't deserve: forgiveness, love, and mercy.
Prayer: Jesus, may I not waste Your death on the cross for me (see Gal 2:21).
Promise: "My command to you is: love your enemies, pray for your persecutors. This will prove that you are sons of your heavenly Father, for His sun rises on the bad and the good, He rains on the just and the unjust." —Mt 5:44-45
Praise: Rhonda had an abortion. She repented and turned to Jesus. Now she is happily married with six children.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape on Divine Love on audio AV 52-3 or video V-52.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 2, 2014
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