HABAKKUK 3:2

“LORD, I have heard the report about You, and I was afraid. LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make it known. In anger remember mercy.”

Mercy! Do we really understand it? Do we show it to others? There’s a mercy rule in some sports that says if a team gets so far ahead in points, the clock doesn’t stop. This lets the game continue but not drag out. My daughter played against a team in Florida that consistently caused that rule to come into play. They were so good that they regularly beat teams by 50 or more points.

Habakkuk is begging God for mercy. As he begins his prayer to God, following God’s words to him in chapter 2, he is asking the Lord to show mercy to His rebellious children. Even in the midst of His anger towards them for their disobedience, remember to show them mercy. The word translated as “mercy” is racham, which is also translated as love or compassion.

APPLICATION

Okay, be truthful. How good are you at showing love and compassion to someone who has hurt you? If you are like me, that’s hard. It’s easy to do that to someone who loves and respects you, but it’s very difficult towards someone who has done you wrong.

Just as the Lord was merciful to those who hurt Him, we must show mercy, love and compassion. Jesus told us in Luke 6 to love our enemies, to do good to those who hate us, to bless those who curse us, to pray for those who abuse us and to turn the other cheek. (Luke 6:27-29) Wow! How is that even possible? How can I do that? Only through Christ.

I have learned through the years that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil 4:13). It’s not me doing it. It’s Him. I can love that person who has hurt me again and again. Why? Because Christ loves them. I can show mercy to that person who has shown me no mercy. How? Through His strength. You can too if you will just get out of the way. Show some mercy today.

Lord, let Your mercy flow through me as I encounter people daily who have no regard for my feelings. I choose to love them because of Your love for them.