The Father's Menu

Apostle Dr. Richard Udoh

Saturday, November 17, 2018

JUDGMENT AND MERCY

“And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?”
Jonah 4:11
Main Text:

Ten years after he was convicted of murdering off-duty police officer Mark MacPhail, and to the chagrin of the almost one million in support of his innocence, Troy Davis was executed without mercy by lethal injection in Savannah, Georgia, USA, on Wednesday September 21, 2011. Davis’ case led to intense debates around the world regarding the United States’ judiciary system and the practice of the death penalty. From the original trial, Davis remained steadfast on the claim that he was innocent until he was executed. A petition requesting clemency for Davis reached over 660,000 signatures that included prominent names such as former President Jimmy Carter and Pope Benedict XVI, yet, no mercy was shown Davis.

Prophet Jonah, reluctant disobedient servant of God, had prophesied the overthrow of Nineveh in forty days. However, everyone in the condemned city repented. As a result, impending disasters on them were averted, because they believed in God and were forgiven. Jonah was therefore angry so much he wished he could die simply because his prophesy was to nothing.

In His wisdom, God dealt with us in patience, never in anger. There are many in our world today, not deserving any clemency or pardon for sins. Some were even of the opinion of Jonah thinking that mercy for the guilty is injustice to the innocent. They easily forget they also would need God’s mercy if their own sins are to be visited. Our God delights in mercy for people who truly repent, like the Ninevites. The Bible says, “You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. (Colossians 3:13 NLT).

We all need mercy, because we all stumble and fall and require help to get back on track. We need to offer mercy to each other and be willing to receive it from each other. I charge you today to always show mercy in your position.

Prayer: O Lord, show me mercy today and always in all I do

Further Reading: Jonah 4: 1-11

Read through the Bible: Psalm 73 & I Corinthians 11