Nobrmnrt 22 Mercy

November 11

Mercy

2 Kings 6:18-23 And when the Syrians came down against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord and said, "Please strike this people with blindness." So he struck them with blindness in accordance with the prayer of Elisha. 19 And Elisha said to them, "This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek." And he led them to Samaria (Israel's capital). 20 As soon as they entered Samaria, Elisha said, "O Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see." So the Lord opened their eyes and they saw, and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. 21 As soon as the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, "My father, shall I strike them down? Shall I strike them down?" 22 He answered, "You shall not strike them down. Would you strike down those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master." 23 So he prepared for them a great feast, and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the Syrians did not come again on raids into the land of Israel.

ONE of the images of God's salvation throughout the Bible is a feast. In the beloved Psalm 23, for example, we read the great assurance "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows." (Psalm 23:5) As God formed his people under his authority, he commanded the Jews to remember their salvation out of Egypt with the Feast of the Passover. They were also to remember how he sheltered them and came to dwell with them in the desert journey through the Feast of the Tabernacles. And God commanded the celebration of the Law come to earth through the Feast of Pentecost.

          Looking ahead to our future, God also offers an image of plenty in our eternal home in Revelation 22:1-2 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

          Today's Scripture tells us God also provides feasts even for his enemies. He loves them in the midst of their opposition. God's mercy is all-encompassing for his creation.

          The feast is God's gift to mankind to teach us of his mercy. As God used Elisha to proclaim his message of mercy to the Syrians, he has used countless voices throughout the ages to offer his mercy to those who war against him. He's even used his Son and his Spirit.

          Remember, you were born an enemy to God. As you confess Christ, you do so as a response to God's eternal mercy on your soul. He has brought you into the feast of forgiveness as demonstrated as Jesus declared in Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." 

          When you consider your former relationship with God and your relationship now, I urge you to look at those around you and consider, "To whom can I show God's mercy?" You will be surprised and empowered when you begin to say to others, "Come, let us feast together in God's mercy." Who knows? God may be using you to open eyes blind to his salvation.

Prayer: We celebrate your mercy, O God. Thank you for life. For freedom from slavery. For your protection from evil. As I have received mercy, teach me to be merciful. In Jesus' name, amen.