Yes and No

Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. (Psalm 28:6) 

          Mercy, pity, charity... what is your thought about your need for these? Do you need them, or are they something "those" folks need? You know, the people who are really evil, poor, needy, weak...those pathetic people, the ones who need the opiate of the masses (religion), or who have mental health issues, or addictions, or a different world view.... I know I prefer to believe I don't need mercy when I'm feeling in control, but when things aren't going my way, I cry for mercy like an infant who needs a nap.

          Sometimes, it seems as if some people have a formula for how pathetic someone has to be to need mercy. If you think you've got it bad, think of how horrible things are for this person, or that group. Get some perspective, we're told. My response is that "I'm sorry I fail to meet that persons minimum standard for mercy or compassion." 

         There are others who feed on mercy. Some think that mercy means that they get to be or to do whatever they want. Allowances must be made for them because they are "oppressed." For these folks, there is no maximum standard, no point beyond which mercy may be withheld. Everyone deserves endless mercy.

         Praise God for His wisdom and His mercy. He doesn't make us measure up to a standard before we can receive mercy, nor does He allow people to escape responsibility. He knows how much mercy  we need, and when the mercy that we need is the answer, "No." Praise Him for the mercy of "Yes" and the mercy of "No."