I was a child when I first cried out for mercy. I turned face to face with my brother. We intertwined our fingers, grasped tightly with both hands and in unison chanted,

“On your mark. Get set. Go!”

The war began. We both had one goal in mind to squeeze, twist and turn the others hands and wrist hard enough for the other to holler out in pain the word,

“Mercy!”

As soon as the word was spoken, the game was over. The one who spoke the word lost.

We played repeatedly. The game would start out fun with much anticipation and usually some anxious laughter as we waited for the pain that would be ensued.
The game usually ended when I clawed him until he was mad, or until he antagonized me until I was ready to quit. Doesn’t sound like my type of fun, but for some reason I engaged in this craziness over and over. I willingly grabbed hold, let out a few giggles and gave it all I had. I even won once in a while, at least that’s the way I remember it.

Let’s walk through the steps of MERCY:

1. I willingly take part.

I can’t speak for you, but in my life I have participated in many things that I know God did not want me take part in. Some good and some bad, but the result is always the same. Every time I set out to do something that God does not orchestrate, I end up in a fight.

2. I fight thinking I have the strength to win.

I am competitive and driven. I like to win. I don’t like to do things halfway. I usually go overboard and put too much effort into simple things. When it comes to fighting I do not give up easily. This usually leaves me bruised, battered and emotionally scarred once I finally realize I cannot take anymore.

3. I cry out for “Mercy.”

You would think after a few games of mercy with my older, stronger brother that I would have learned not to engage in the battle, but for some reason I thought maybe this time would be the time I would finally win.

I do the same thing in life. I fight for what I think I want and engage in things that look appealing and exciting. I think I can make it this time without running out of strength. The moment of truth walks in like an old familiar skeleton and in my shame I have to mutter the word,

“Mercy.”

Although defeated, I am free. As soon as I let the word “Mercy” slip from my lips it’s as if I never engaged in the fight. God promises to forgive as far as the east is from the west. My hands might be sore from the fight, but my record is clean. It even seems as if I won. Mercy is immeasurable.

If you scream it, whisper it or if you say it as you gasp for breath, the result is the same. Mercy fully replaces and erases all shame.

Stop fighting. Speak the word. Release your grip. Mercy is not a bad word, so don’t be afraid to let it resound from your mouth. I need new mercy every single day several times a day. What about you?

It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

Love & Blessings,

Micah