Grace, Judgment, and Mercy

And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by His messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because He had compassion on His people, and on His dwelling place. But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised His words, and misused His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, till there was no remedy. 2 Chronicles 36:15–16.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, a city beloved of God!

God warned this city when sin began to come between Him and this people He had sworn to bless. He warned them of the harvest that would come from the seeds they were sowing, but they despised God’s words, and misused His prophets.

God continued to bear with them because He knew what was at the end of the road His people had chosen to take. He had compassion on them, and on His dwelling place (the same temple that had been so filled with God’s glory on the day of its dedication that the priests couldn’t even minister anymore at some point because of the very visible presence of the glory of God).

But  the people continued to walk in their own ways, forming strange alliances, putting their faith in places that could not save them, and worshipping vain gods with the false hope of receiving prosperity from them. These gods could do nothing for God’s people because they were in fact, no gods.

Still God’s people — the children of promise — brought these vain gods into the temple (the place God had chosen for Himself for a place of sacrifice), and worshipped these gods that were no gods there.

Until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, till there was no remedy….

Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

God forbid.

Take a look at the world we live in today. Is the Church powerless to affect this world for good?

Light, no matter how small, would always overcome darkness — no matter how thick it is.

Salt, no matter how little, can make a difference and affect the essence of wherever it is applied.

But when light is hidden, and salt has lost its own essence, where then is the value of purpose?

Where is the power of the Church today in this lost world?

Where is the power, and the work of God?

Like the Prophet Habakkuk, sometimes we pray—

O LORD, I have heard The speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive Thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. Habakkuk 3:2.

God hears, and His word remains—

If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14.

So before we ask again, where the power of God is, and before we ask for His work to be revived in our midst, let us look inward.

Remember that this same God of mercy is also a consuming fire. He is not mocked.

A day of reckoning is coming. When that day comes, may we be found on the side of grace and mercy because we have not despised His words, and misused His prophets.

May we not be ashamed on that day because we have humbled ourselves, and prayed, and sought His face, and turned from our wicked ways.

…Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts…. Hebrews 3:15.

For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2.

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50 thoughts on “Grace, Judgment, and Mercy”

  1. Beautiful post! So much Truth here!! I recently listened to one of Margaret Feinburg’s, The Joycast podcast’s. She was speaking with a pastor of a church in Colorado. They talked a lot about the need for spiritual revival in this world. And it all begins with our own hearts and prayer! Thanks so much for sharing this!

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  2. Boma … this part of the verse jumped out at me as I read it –>’ because He had compassion on His people.’

    His loving kindness never fades or fails. His mercies are new every morning. I am so grateful …

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  3. I’m grateful for your heart for the American church. I have often felt like we are hiding our lights as well in an effort to blend in with the culture more, which is going completely against God’s Word. Thank you for sharing truth and encouraging us to do the same!

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    • May we, all over the world, continually find grace to let our light shine, and fulfill purpose! Thanks for visiting, Tabatha. Many blessings to you!

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  4. You are right – light that is hidden (or just blends in with all the other lights around it) loses its purposes. Many similar thoughts were on my heart today as well! I want to be a light that is used for its purpose – to expel darkness!

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  5. Looking inward is often painful, but SO important. Love this: “So before we ask again, where the power of God is, and before we ask for His work to be revived in our midst, let us look inward.”

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  6. Boma, we so need to claim this verse for 2020!

    “If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

    Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!

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  7. Thank you for the good reminder that even a little bit of light and salt have good effects. It is what we must continue to do – reflect God’s light in a sometimes dark world.

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  8. Lots to think about in this powerful grace, judgment and mercy post. I believe the power to save belongs to God and His Holy Spirit is actively wooing every soul to return to Him. Our Heavenly Father’s heart is for all to come to repentance. Praying for all. ❤

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  9. So true, and a call for me to be more focused on sharing Jesus with my friends who don’t believe while there’s still time. I need to pray more for me to see opportunities and to know what to say when they come.

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  10. I’m reading the book of Micah right now, and it, too, is directed at Jerusalem–but I see a lot of parallels between Jerusalem and today’s church :/. May we always be aware of how our actions (or lack of action) affects the least of those.

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  11. “So before we ask again, where the power of God is, and before we ask for His work to be revived in our midst, let us look inward.” Yes! Great post! This is where we MUST begin! If we ourselves have not repented, if we haven’t taken inventory and turned from our own sins, if we haven’t made things right with those we’ve hurt or offended, then, we have no place to speak. We must run toward God’s grace and mercy, accepting his work in our own lives and changing accordingly before we can speak this message to others!

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  12. To have an attitude of reverence and humility. To recognize our smallness compared to God’s greatness. To know personally and intimately the God of grace who has forgiven a shamefull amount of our sins….incredible. I thank God he helped me to respond to his call. Thanks for this wonderful reminder!

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  13. “Light, no matter how small, would always overcome darkness — no matter how thick it is.” So true and something that we need to remember in these strange days that we live in. Thank you for sharing these truths.

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  14. “Remember that this same God of mercy is also a consuming fire.” Yes! Very true! As humans, we tend to want to remake God as *only* a God of mercy or *only* a God of justice per our own selfish desires and really, just how we perceive life. It’s a good reminder that He truly is both.

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  15. “Light, no matter how small, would always overcome darkness — no matter how thick it is.” Love that powerful truth. Reminds me of 1 John 2:16 that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. The chapter goes on to remind us that if we will walk in the light if we walk in truth.

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