When a wildfire raged through the canyons near Colorado Springs, America, it destroyed the habitat of all kinds of wildlife and hundreds of homes. People across America cried out to God, pleading with Him to send rain to douse the flames. Some people’s prayers had an interesting condition attached to them. They asked God to show mercy and send rain without lightning, which they feared would start even more fires.

This reminds me of how we live between things that save us and kill us. With fire, we cook our food and keep warm, but in it we can be burned. With water, we keep our bodies hydrated and our planet cooled, but in it we also can drown. Too much or too little of either is life threatening.

We see the same principle at work spiritually. To thrive, civilisations need the seemingly opposite qualities of mercy and justice (Zech. 7:9). Jesus told the Pharisees off for being hung up about the law but ignoring “weightier matters” (Matt. 23:23).

We may lean towards justice or mercy, but Jesus keeps them in perfect balance (Isa. 16:5; 42:1-4). His death satisfies God’s need for justice and our need for mercy.

Author

Julie Ackerman Link

Topics

Our Daily Bread