The Paths of the Lord
With the fluctuations we’ve been witnessing in our present economy, I’ve been thinking about the power our past choices exert over our present. Not only does our choice of career path, home ownership, and location impact our present financial state…but it can also dictate your physical as well as spiritual well-being.
I am reminded of the poem by Robert Frost, ‘The Road Not Taken.’ It has been my favorite since I first read it in grade school. When I first met my husband, who was once a biker, I was astonished to find that he had the poem committed to memory. It is such a powerful thought:
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.’
The sentiment actually coincides with the Mountain Stream Theory, a very popular course of reason though seldom called by name. I will spare you the very detailed elements of the theory and present to you the simplified version applicable to this message.
In essence, the theory could be described as the life cycle of the winter snow as it cascades down a mountain; our lives are likened to that flow. For instance, when the snow falls, it soon melts, creating a stream of water which naturally flows toward sea level. Along the way the stream of water is confronted with various obstacles in its path where it must ‘decide’ whether to turn to the left or the right.
This division is repeated as the stream progresses down the mountain. Its ‘choices’ dictate whether it winds up in the vast ocean or in the confines of a stagnant pond in the foothills. Each decision determines the obstacles to be faced in the future…and there is seldom a way for the water to travel back to a point of decision and change its course.
Indeed, our choice of path will dictate our end. Although we all progress toward the cessation of our human existence, it is our choices along the way which will determine our resulting destination…as well as how easy or difficult the journey!
As men and women of God, the choice of our pathway should be simple. We would all say that we choose the paths of the Lord…but what path would that be?
• Is it a physical path like that he trod throughout Israel, healing the sick and tending to the hurting?
• Or is it the road that led him to Jerusalem one last time to face the judgment of man and the criticism of the religious leaders?
• Or could it be the path to Calvary he stumbled down, having been beaten and bruised, carrying the heavy cross to the place it would support his dying body?
• Or is it the path into the heavens that he took as he ascended on the day of his ascension?
First, let us realize that the choice to follow in God’s pathway is not a one-time decision…but rather, that ‘choice’ actually plays into a series of decisions we must make everyday as we strive to follow in His footsteps!
I’d like us to look at Psalm 25:20 today. “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.”
This passage of scripture can render 2 meanings:
• Those who keep God’s covenant and testimonies will experience God as being merciful and truthful to them.
• Walking with God means we must be merciful and sold out to Truth and integrity because this is how we keep His covenant and His testimonies.
King David was said to be a man after God’s own heart. During one point in David’s reign, eleven of the twelve tribes chose to follow his son, Absalom, instead of him. Now, if you know anything about monarchies and their structure of government, you realize that it is next to impossible for two kings to inhabit the same country.
Whenever there is a coup, the old ruler is usually killed or at least exiled. King David was forced to run for his life!
Still, there were still some loyal subjects—the tribe of Judah. All other tribes turned against David.
Indeed, our choice of path will dictate our end. Although we all progress toward the cessation of our human existence, it is our choices along the way which will determine our resulting destination…as well as how easy or difficult the journey!
As men and women of God, the choice of our pathway should be simple. We would all say that we choose the paths of the Lord…but what path would that be?
• Is it a physical path like that he trod throughout Israel, healing the sick and tending to the hurting?
• Or is it the road that led him to Jerusalem one last time to face the judgment of man and the criticism of the religious leaders?
• Or could it be the path to Calvary he stumbled down, having been beaten and bruised, carrying the heavy cross to the place it would support his dying body?
• Or is it the path into the heavens that he took as he ascended on the day of his ascension?
First, let us realize that the choice to follow in God’s pathway is not a one-time decision…but rather, that ‘choice’ actually plays into a series of decisions we must make everyday as we strive to follow in His footsteps!
I’d like us to look at Psalm 25:20 today. “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.”
This passage of scripture can render 2 meanings:
• Those who keep God’s covenant and testimonies will experience God as being merciful and truthful to them.
• Walking with God means we must be merciful and sold out to Truth and integrity because this is how we keep His covenant and His testimonies.
King David was said to be a man after God’s own heart. During one point in David’s reign, eleven of the twelve tribes chose to follow his son, Absalom, instead of him. Now, if you know anything about monarchies and their structure of government, you realize that it is next to impossible for two kings to inhabit the same country.
Whenever there is a coup, the old ruler is usually killed or at least exiled. King David was forced to run for his life!
Still, there were still some loyal subjects—the tribe of Judah. All other tribes turned against David.
When reading this, I began to ponder how anyone could turn against him:
• He had killed Goliath at an early age—a miracle of miracles!
• He had lead Israel into victory after victory.
• God had promised him that He would make his enemies his footstool and that He would prepare a table before him in the presence of his enemies. Wouldn’t you want to be on his side?
• He had restored the kingdom after Saul’s reign had split the believers.
• King Saul had even sought out the advice and services of the Witch of Endor, but David brought the people’s hearts back to worshipping God.
• King David was upright and honest with both God and man!
YET, Absalom had won over the kingdom through words. Day in and day out, he had stood at the gate of the palace slandering his father. How dangerous a place we find ourselves today; have we likewise slandered our spiritual leadership through our tongues, our computer keyboards, or social media sites? It seems our avenues for such betrayal have increased so we must be cautious the path we choose!
In the circumstances, with Israel’s heart turned away from her rightful king, David was forced to flee his capital city.
Just what could such a heart-rending account tell us about God’s paths of mercy and truth, keep reading and you will find some pretty surprising information!
• He had killed Goliath at an early age—a miracle of miracles!
• He had lead Israel into victory after victory.
• God had promised him that He would make his enemies his footstool and that He would prepare a table before him in the presence of his enemies. Wouldn’t you want to be on his side?
• He had restored the kingdom after Saul’s reign had split the believers.
• King Saul had even sought out the advice and services of the Witch of Endor, but David brought the people’s hearts back to worshipping God.
• King David was upright and honest with both God and man!
YET, Absalom had won over the kingdom through words. Day in and day out, he had stood at the gate of the palace slandering his father. How dangerous a place we find ourselves today; have we likewise slandered our spiritual leadership through our tongues, our computer keyboards, or social media sites? It seems our avenues for such betrayal have increased so we must be cautious the path we choose!
In the circumstances, with Israel’s heart turned away from her rightful king, David was forced to flee his capital city.
Just what could such a heart-rending account tell us about God’s paths of mercy and truth, keep reading and you will find some pretty surprising information!
King David himself penned the sentiment found in Psalm 25:20… “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.” However, his life sometimes seemed to counter his words.
As eleven tribes of the original twelve were stripped from him by his own son, David surely could not have felt the impact of mercy or truth from those around him. His son sought his life mercilessly and it was through slanderous lies that he had supplanted his father!
But that did not mean that mercy and truth did not still reign in David’s heart. We find that even in the worst trial of his life, when his own flesh and blood sought to kill him, David’s mercy was yet unstrained.
As David left the city with the tribe of Judah following him, a descendent of King Saul approached.
Remember, the kingdom was taken from the lineage of Saul and given to David, meaning that Saul’s children were disinherited and lost their right to the throne! Needless to say, there was a deep animosity there.
2 Samuel 16:5-13
“And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came.
And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.
(What would our President have done to someone if that someone threw rocks and cursed at him?)And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:
The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man.
Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.
And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?
And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.
It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.
And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill's side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.”
Wait a minute! Why is David reproving the very men who are trying to take up for him???
And where does he get the boldness and strength to tell his men to leave this Shimei alone? Usually, we like it when people take up for us, right?
These are bold words, considering what David has just gone through. Shimei has just slandered David, calling him a bloody man of Belial. To say someone is of Belial, means they worship Beelzebub or Satan. In short, Shimei is calling David a Satan worshipper and a murderer.
David’s mercy does not stop there though.
Finally, Absalom’s forces find David’s men. Absalom brings all the men of Israel and David has only the tribe of Judah to defend him.
As eleven tribes of the original twelve were stripped from him by his own son, David surely could not have felt the impact of mercy or truth from those around him. His son sought his life mercilessly and it was through slanderous lies that he had supplanted his father!
But that did not mean that mercy and truth did not still reign in David’s heart. We find that even in the worst trial of his life, when his own flesh and blood sought to kill him, David’s mercy was yet unstrained.
As David left the city with the tribe of Judah following him, a descendent of King Saul approached.
Remember, the kingdom was taken from the lineage of Saul and given to David, meaning that Saul’s children were disinherited and lost their right to the throne! Needless to say, there was a deep animosity there.
2 Samuel 16:5-13
“And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came.
And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.
(What would our President have done to someone if that someone threw rocks and cursed at him?)And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:
The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man.
Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.
And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?
And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.
It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.
And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill's side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.”
Wait a minute! Why is David reproving the very men who are trying to take up for him???
And where does he get the boldness and strength to tell his men to leave this Shimei alone? Usually, we like it when people take up for us, right?
These are bold words, considering what David has just gone through. Shimei has just slandered David, calling him a bloody man of Belial. To say someone is of Belial, means they worship Beelzebub or Satan. In short, Shimei is calling David a Satan worshipper and a murderer.
David’s mercy does not stop there though.
Finally, Absalom’s forces find David’s men. Absalom brings all the men of Israel and David has only the tribe of Judah to defend him.
Because they want to protect their king, the men of the tribe of Judah have King David stay behind while they go out to fight. Here we see another example of David’s mercy.
2 Samuel 18:4-5
“And the king said unto them, What seemeth you best I will do. And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.
And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai (the three captains of his army), saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.”
Joab ended up finding Absalom with his long hair caught in a tree and tortured and killed him.
David grieved but he extended mercy to Joab as well.
Finally, David re-enters the city. Upon re-entry, we see Shimei appear again.
2 Samuel 19:15-23
“So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan.
And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David.
And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king.
And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king's household, and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan;
And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.
For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.
But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD's anointed?
And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me?”
Clearly, this is the last thing they thought they were since they thought they were taking up for David.
The same parallel can be drawn with our saints today. All of us have gone through trials, have been talked about and hurt, but there is a mercy—born of God—that we are to exercise.
We are often too ready to kill someone spiritually to avenge ourselves, those we love, or even the doctrine. But is this truly the path of the Lord?
It was when Abishai wished to exercise what we like to call ‘righteous indignation’ that the king said he had become his enemy.
Abishai had become, in that moment, the enemy of the one he had fought for, risked his life for, and suffered through battle for. Often, we feel it our privilege—or even our responsibility—as faithful saints of God to defend the Truth. But if our efforts defeat the very purpose of the doctrine—to save—then we have unknowingly become enemies of the cross, rather than its messengers!
Abishai had never been disloyal to King David so he felt he had the right to defend him at all costs. The problem was that swift justice would not allow a man to seek his heart and find grace in the eyes of God.
The Bible speaks of men sinning repeatedly because the judgment of God does not fall speedily. God has the power to ZAP all those who sin. In fact, sometimes when we know we’ve made mistake, we may be afraid of that very thing!
But according to scripture, “The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression” (Numbers 14:18). Furthermore, II Peter 3:9 tells us that “the Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
God wants all souls to be reconciled to him. Therefore, he often allows those that hurt him and crucify him anew to continue as they are, thereby giving them opportunity to repent and follow him.
2 Samuel 18:4-5
“And the king said unto them, What seemeth you best I will do. And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.
And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai (the three captains of his army), saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.”
Joab ended up finding Absalom with his long hair caught in a tree and tortured and killed him.
David grieved but he extended mercy to Joab as well.
Finally, David re-enters the city. Upon re-entry, we see Shimei appear again.
2 Samuel 19:15-23
“So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan.
And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David.
And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king.
And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king's household, and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan;
And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.
For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.
But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD's anointed?
And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me?”
Clearly, this is the last thing they thought they were since they thought they were taking up for David.
The same parallel can be drawn with our saints today. All of us have gone through trials, have been talked about and hurt, but there is a mercy—born of God—that we are to exercise.
We are often too ready to kill someone spiritually to avenge ourselves, those we love, or even the doctrine. But is this truly the path of the Lord?
It was when Abishai wished to exercise what we like to call ‘righteous indignation’ that the king said he had become his enemy.
Abishai had become, in that moment, the enemy of the one he had fought for, risked his life for, and suffered through battle for. Often, we feel it our privilege—or even our responsibility—as faithful saints of God to defend the Truth. But if our efforts defeat the very purpose of the doctrine—to save—then we have unknowingly become enemies of the cross, rather than its messengers!
Abishai had never been disloyal to King David so he felt he had the right to defend him at all costs. The problem was that swift justice would not allow a man to seek his heart and find grace in the eyes of God.
The Bible speaks of men sinning repeatedly because the judgment of God does not fall speedily. God has the power to ZAP all those who sin. In fact, sometimes when we know we’ve made mistake, we may be afraid of that very thing!
But according to scripture, “The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression” (Numbers 14:18). Furthermore, II Peter 3:9 tells us that “the Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
God wants all souls to be reconciled to him. Therefore, he often allows those that hurt him and crucify him anew to continue as they are, thereby giving them opportunity to repent and follow him.
Often, we’re quick to find fault in others when their sin seems bigger than our own. We condemn and refuse to forget and forgive. However, Luke 6:38 says that “with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
The verb ‘mete’ means to distribute, to allot, or to dole out. In essence, the treatment you give others will be the treatment you, in turn, receive!
And if we have truly chosen the path of the Lord, we should desire to be patient with those who transgress. In Colossians 3:12, Paul admonished the saints to “put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.”
There is no one perfect…except one, which is Jesus Christ! It would be safe to say that we all are in need of mercy. God’s word, however, says that he will not have mercy if we neglect to show mercy to others.
So, in answer to our question of the meaning of Psalm 25:10, both meanings seem to be correct.
• Our Text: “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.”
• Yes, (1) those who keep God’s covenant and testimonies will experience God as being merciful and truthful to them.
• But they will experience this due to their following of His path: (2) Walking with God means they must be merciful and consistent in Truth to reap the same reward upon their own life!
Christ gives us a “space to repent;” shouldn’t we as ambassadors of Christ who claim to follow His pathway offer the same to those who harm us?
Often, it is difficult to give mercy because the slander of others makes us unsure of who we are. We must keep in mind who we are in God. We are His children, the sheep of His pasture, we are heirs to glory!
Note, even when the kingdom had been stripped away from King David, he never forgot who he was. God had chosen and anointed him King of Israel.
He never forgot who he was in the sight of God…no matter how he felt he measured in the sight of man! That’s how he had the authority to give mercy…when all his power seemed to have been usurped by his son. And for his continuity in mercy and truth, his kingdom was restored!
It doesn’t matter what people think of us. When I was in high school, I always wished I could disguise myself and poll other people to see what they really thought of me. I wanted so much to be popular and pleasing at that time.
I have since learned, however, that the calling of God on one’s life is without repentance…whether you are hailed by man or not. If I don’t back out, God won’t either! Once God makes a promise, He keeps it! Once he places an anointing on your life, you can always count on it being there—no matter what others think or say.
So how do we know when to exercise mercy and when to exercise judgment based on the truth that we have received of God?
God did not leave us without guidance. While we are not to whip others into shape, we are not to silence our witness either. While we are not to judge or belittle others, there is merit in standing in the gap!
Our next segment will address when we must exercise mercy and when judgment is required. Don’t miss it!
The verb ‘mete’ means to distribute, to allot, or to dole out. In essence, the treatment you give others will be the treatment you, in turn, receive!
And if we have truly chosen the path of the Lord, we should desire to be patient with those who transgress. In Colossians 3:12, Paul admonished the saints to “put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.”
There is no one perfect…except one, which is Jesus Christ! It would be safe to say that we all are in need of mercy. God’s word, however, says that he will not have mercy if we neglect to show mercy to others.
So, in answer to our question of the meaning of Psalm 25:10, both meanings seem to be correct.
• Our Text: “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.”
• Yes, (1) those who keep God’s covenant and testimonies will experience God as being merciful and truthful to them.
• But they will experience this due to their following of His path: (2) Walking with God means they must be merciful and consistent in Truth to reap the same reward upon their own life!
Christ gives us a “space to repent;” shouldn’t we as ambassadors of Christ who claim to follow His pathway offer the same to those who harm us?
Often, it is difficult to give mercy because the slander of others makes us unsure of who we are. We must keep in mind who we are in God. We are His children, the sheep of His pasture, we are heirs to glory!
Note, even when the kingdom had been stripped away from King David, he never forgot who he was. God had chosen and anointed him King of Israel.
He never forgot who he was in the sight of God…no matter how he felt he measured in the sight of man! That’s how he had the authority to give mercy…when all his power seemed to have been usurped by his son. And for his continuity in mercy and truth, his kingdom was restored!
It doesn’t matter what people think of us. When I was in high school, I always wished I could disguise myself and poll other people to see what they really thought of me. I wanted so much to be popular and pleasing at that time.
I have since learned, however, that the calling of God on one’s life is without repentance…whether you are hailed by man or not. If I don’t back out, God won’t either! Once God makes a promise, He keeps it! Once he places an anointing on your life, you can always count on it being there—no matter what others think or say.
So how do we know when to exercise mercy and when to exercise judgment based on the truth that we have received of God?
God did not leave us without guidance. While we are not to whip others into shape, we are not to silence our witness either. While we are not to judge or belittle others, there is merit in standing in the gap!
Our next segment will address when we must exercise mercy and when judgment is required. Don’t miss it!
Psalm 25:10 says, “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.”
Often, however, having mercy and standing for truth can seem to be divergent paths. How do we reconcile the two and prove truly worthy of our calling?
Keeping an appropriate balance regarding mercy and truth hinges upon two key elements:
• Keeping our motives godly rather than self-serving, and
• Exercising wise judgment in how we address the situations that arise in our lives.
#1. “Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord.”
We do not have an obligation to judge or pass judgment on anyone. To judge is to decide guilt, to pass a sentence upon, to decide or settle authoritatively, or even to determine the fate of a guilty party.
To ‘pass judgment’ is to ‘form a critical opinion of’ someone or something. How often have we been guilty of building a wall between ourselves and other saints due to a critical opinion we have developed about them?
Ultimately, this is not our job as Christians—although many particularly enjoy including this task in their day-to-day encounters! This is not the function of the church.
This is actually two issues taking one form: (1) when we feel we are judging a matter, it is often more likely that we are simply gossiping or seeding disunity in the body; and (2) it is also being faithless. If we feel we have to judge, convict, and punish every transgression, have we not usurped God’s authority? Are we not in essence saying that we have no faith in God’s ability to right the situation?
Believe me, God will assure that the law of the harvest is in effect! He will punish when needed but he may also chastise to simply bring the wayward back to Him! He is not a vengeance-seeker; rather, His actions will be directed by the desire to reconcile every soul back into a relationship with Him.
So often, our methods are simply vengeance and punishment!
The answer? Step back and let God exercise the judgment if needed.
Your job? Exercise the mercy that God has shown in your life so that you can be the vessel of honor who brings that lost or wayward soul back to truth. Give, be spent for, and have mercy upon them!
#2. Choose Your Battles.
We know that even though having mercy on others sounds good and we know it is Biblically sound, it is difficult to do. How do we apply such a principle in real life?
Let us return to David. As king, he indeed was in a position to judge and rule his kingdom. Sometimes, we are placed in that type of position. How do we exercise mercy and yet ensure that the law is followed?
We find in scripture where an Israelite man murdered one of his peers in an act of revenge. Fearing for his own life, he turned to King David and begged for forgiveness. King David, seeing the man’s repentant state, allows him to live on one condition.
The man must stay within the city where his home is and never leave the city walls. This judgment call kept the man away from the family impacted by the murder and would have enabled the authorities to monitor his movements. Under Old Testament law, where an eye for an eye was practiced, this was a great stretch of mercy!
This arrangement worked well until one day, the man’s servant fled to another city. The man chased the servant to the other city, not willing to extend the same mercy as had been given him. When King David heard of the transgression as well as the lack of grace exhibited, he sentenced the man to death for thwarting the mercy of the King.
In that time period, the King’s words were law. In disobeying the rule, the man had not only harmed a person but had undermined the entire authority of the country. If this transgression were to go unpunished, the entire nation would know it could flaunt the laws of the kingdom and the laws of God under which it was established.
The gravity of this could not be ignored.
We can take several tips from this situation:
* First, consider, is the argument over Truth or the laws of God?
If so, stand your ground but make certain you are preaching the truth in love. Paul captured this spirit of reconciliation in Ephesians 4:1-3, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
* Second, am I upset over something valid or is it because of my own pride?
There are three categories into which I believe most sins may be divided: the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). If David had punished Shimei for his cursing, he would have been catering to his own pride and would have been in error. Where the murderer was concerned, David had to enforce his mandate as a king; otherwise, he would not have been a truthful king, a man of his word.
* Third, could winning the battle cause you to lose the war?
Ask yourself, is someone’s soul at stake if you win? Could you offend or hurt another soul that might not come back into the fold? Could you destroy a relationship or shake someone in their faith? Will it destroy your testimony?
Luke 9:51-57 relates,
“And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.”
At first, we can understand the disciples’ anger. Jesus is about to give his life on a cross for these people and they will not even offer him lodging for one night.
But, from heaven’s point of view, the disciples wanted to torch an entire city of souls.
If they had done this, the second city they encountered would have feared them and it would have destroyed this one man’s chance to trust and follow Jesus.
Only with proper perspective, wisdom, forgiveness, mercy, and pure motives coupled with this doctrine we love so much, will we be able to truly walk the path of holiness that Jesus invites us to follow!
Often, however, having mercy and standing for truth can seem to be divergent paths. How do we reconcile the two and prove truly worthy of our calling?
Keeping an appropriate balance regarding mercy and truth hinges upon two key elements:
• Keeping our motives godly rather than self-serving, and
• Exercising wise judgment in how we address the situations that arise in our lives.
#1. “Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord.”
We do not have an obligation to judge or pass judgment on anyone. To judge is to decide guilt, to pass a sentence upon, to decide or settle authoritatively, or even to determine the fate of a guilty party.
To ‘pass judgment’ is to ‘form a critical opinion of’ someone or something. How often have we been guilty of building a wall between ourselves and other saints due to a critical opinion we have developed about them?
Ultimately, this is not our job as Christians—although many particularly enjoy including this task in their day-to-day encounters! This is not the function of the church.
This is actually two issues taking one form: (1) when we feel we are judging a matter, it is often more likely that we are simply gossiping or seeding disunity in the body; and (2) it is also being faithless. If we feel we have to judge, convict, and punish every transgression, have we not usurped God’s authority? Are we not in essence saying that we have no faith in God’s ability to right the situation?
Believe me, God will assure that the law of the harvest is in effect! He will punish when needed but he may also chastise to simply bring the wayward back to Him! He is not a vengeance-seeker; rather, His actions will be directed by the desire to reconcile every soul back into a relationship with Him.
So often, our methods are simply vengeance and punishment!
The answer? Step back and let God exercise the judgment if needed.
Your job? Exercise the mercy that God has shown in your life so that you can be the vessel of honor who brings that lost or wayward soul back to truth. Give, be spent for, and have mercy upon them!
#2. Choose Your Battles.
We know that even though having mercy on others sounds good and we know it is Biblically sound, it is difficult to do. How do we apply such a principle in real life?
Let us return to David. As king, he indeed was in a position to judge and rule his kingdom. Sometimes, we are placed in that type of position. How do we exercise mercy and yet ensure that the law is followed?
We find in scripture where an Israelite man murdered one of his peers in an act of revenge. Fearing for his own life, he turned to King David and begged for forgiveness. King David, seeing the man’s repentant state, allows him to live on one condition.
The man must stay within the city where his home is and never leave the city walls. This judgment call kept the man away from the family impacted by the murder and would have enabled the authorities to monitor his movements. Under Old Testament law, where an eye for an eye was practiced, this was a great stretch of mercy!
This arrangement worked well until one day, the man’s servant fled to another city. The man chased the servant to the other city, not willing to extend the same mercy as had been given him. When King David heard of the transgression as well as the lack of grace exhibited, he sentenced the man to death for thwarting the mercy of the King.
In that time period, the King’s words were law. In disobeying the rule, the man had not only harmed a person but had undermined the entire authority of the country. If this transgression were to go unpunished, the entire nation would know it could flaunt the laws of the kingdom and the laws of God under which it was established.
The gravity of this could not be ignored.
We can take several tips from this situation:
* First, consider, is the argument over Truth or the laws of God?
If so, stand your ground but make certain you are preaching the truth in love. Paul captured this spirit of reconciliation in Ephesians 4:1-3, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
* Second, am I upset over something valid or is it because of my own pride?
There are three categories into which I believe most sins may be divided: the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). If David had punished Shimei for his cursing, he would have been catering to his own pride and would have been in error. Where the murderer was concerned, David had to enforce his mandate as a king; otherwise, he would not have been a truthful king, a man of his word.
* Third, could winning the battle cause you to lose the war?
Ask yourself, is someone’s soul at stake if you win? Could you offend or hurt another soul that might not come back into the fold? Could you destroy a relationship or shake someone in their faith? Will it destroy your testimony?
Luke 9:51-57 relates,
“And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.”
At first, we can understand the disciples’ anger. Jesus is about to give his life on a cross for these people and they will not even offer him lodging for one night.
But, from heaven’s point of view, the disciples wanted to torch an entire city of souls.
If they had done this, the second city they encountered would have feared them and it would have destroyed this one man’s chance to trust and follow Jesus.
Only with proper perspective, wisdom, forgiveness, mercy, and pure motives coupled with this doctrine we love so much, will we be able to truly walk the path of holiness that Jesus invites us to follow!
