Mercy Triumphs!

Today, the Lord reminded me of a moment in time when he did an alignment in my heart. He is always doing alignments. This one, however, was on my heart today.

About 8 years ago, I was working in a church, in a very affluent community. Granite Bay, CA. I remember one time, I was visiting the home of a woman who lived in a $ 2 million dollar home. I remember leaving that day, and I was complaining to the Lord about her clothes, her life style, and about her home. I remember talking to the Lord about all the poor children who could be fed, all the ministry opportunities she could be supporting and such.

I remember the Lord interrupted me with such boldness. He doesn’t often speak this clearly, but this was one of those times, I needed a major talk’n to.

"Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.” Job 40:7

I will never forget this moment as I was driving. The Lord began to ask me a series of questions. Kind of like He did with Job when Job needed a talk’n to. He asked me,

“Do you know how much she financially gives regularly to bless others?”

“Do you know how much time she opens up her home to others?”

“Do you see behind the scenes how much she sacrificially gives and blesses people with her time, talents and treasures?”

“Do you know the motives in her heart?”

“Do you not know that I have placed her in this specific community to bring my light to others?”

“Do you not see my plan for her life?”

“Do you not know that people in that community need Me? And who better to minister to them, than one from within this community?”

“Do you not see the judgments and prejudices in your heart towards those with money, favor and blessing?”

“Do you not see your own envy, jealousy and discontentment?”

“Who are you to judge one of my servants, my anointed ones?”

The questions from the Lord came like popping firecrackers! One right after another.

I will tell you, after this talk’n to, I was humbled once again at the exposure of my own heart.

I am convinced that Jesus would rather have us focus on our own hearts than for us to point fingers about what is or is not right in the hearts of others. We can make assumptions based upon exterior things. And we miss God’s heart for them in the process. I did. I often need an alignment.

Judgement and prejudice can take all forms. We must recognize it in ourselves. The important thing is for us to learn as Christians the lifestyle of hearing God and obeying Him, and being where He wants us to be. And not making or putting judgments on others. We must be people of mercy and not judgment. We need to let people be who they are called to be.

For one person that might mean selling all and living a simplified lifestyle. For another, like this friend of mine, it might mean a different lifestyle so she can impact those God has called her to reach.

Jesus said,

“You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one.” John 8:15

“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:2

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37

I had not realized the condition of my heart until the Lord gave me a good talk’n to. Oh, how I love the voice of God. I am so thankful for correction and that God cares enough about my heart to rebuke me and realign me in His arms of grace.

Every so often, I see this around me in others and I see it pop up in my heart. I begin asking, thinking, pondering, assuming, accusing, judging, blaming, and making prejudices about people when I do not even know their hearts. We need to know people’s hearts. We need to see people as God sees them. We need to choose love over hate; and mercy over judgment.

“Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:13

Oh Jesus, have mercy on us and align our hearts with truth.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

There is nothing that I want more in life than to represent the real Jesus well. I often fail myself forward in the arms of Grace. We (me) need to allow people room to be in process with God and give people permission to fail themselves forward towards maturity. People need grace. I know I am in need of grace each moment. I know who I am without it.

Jesus, transform me with your true gospel and make me into a woman of mercy and grace.

Dear Lord,

Forgive me Lord for any and all judgment and prejudice in my heart. Lord, I can make assumptions about people based upon exterior things and never know their hearts. Lord, you forgave me back then and re-aligned my heart towards yours. Do it again today. To see as you see. To know your heart for others. Lord, continue to refine me with your Word and your Truth. I want nothing more Jesus than to represent you. Set me free from religious mindsets and any false gospel (Gal 1:6) so that the world might know the real YOU. In Jesus name, Amen.

RESOURCES & BOOKS:

“Envy” by Bob Sorge
“Judging” by Derek Prince