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“You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.” (Psalm 86:5)
At first glance, this verse sounds so beautiful and wonderful and lovely. Because at first, I apply it to myself. But then I start thinking about the people who have committed atrocities beyond my wildest imagination and yet who have come to call to God and I struggle with the truth of this verse. For, just as He forgave my sins, He forgives theirs as well. I have such a strong desire for justice over mercy. I know people who prefer mercy over justice - they are such beautiful, gentle, loving and kind people. But I totally know that is not me. I want justice. I want God to have his vengeance. I want people to know the fear of the Lord. Especially people who have done heinous acts against the innocent. And yet I know my God, when asked, forgives liberally - for there are no degrees of sin in His eyes. How can that be?!
I am realizing over and over how much I need to see my sin as equal to that of the worst criminal on record. That is such a hard thing for this justice-seeker to do. But God, in his unfathomable love for me and his infinite sense of humor has been showing me, little by little, just what a deprived being I am. I am wretched. Oh what gracious love is this, that God would die for me! That he would forgive my wrongdoings - my daily acts of insult and injustices against His glory! How sweet the taste of mercy over that of bitter man-made justice.
I don't have to understand how God balances mercy and justice so perfectly. It will take more than my lifetime to comprehend the depths of either of these attributes of God. Knowing this, I have a choice to make. I can consistently focus on the justice - which historically for me results in my frustration and doubt of God's character - or I can turn to His mercy - which will carry me to the heights of His love for me and will amaze me with splendor like I have never seen.
So, why the preference for justice? In this light is seems really dumb. I think I need to get over that one!
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I don't know...every time I think of Justice and the wicked being judged and condemned, I think of all the old-time prophets who railed against the wicked and asked God to destroy them. All of their pleadings to just come back, Lord, and take them out of this evil world. Right? But then there's Jonah who's sense of justice and vengeance so consumed him, he didn't want to do God's bidding in helping the Ninevites to see the Truth and turn from their erroneous ways. Of course, Jesus came and preached a whole new gospel consisting of forgiveness, humility, love and mercy. But I still believe sin grieves God's heart and makes Him angry - furious even. But to a human, there's such a fine line between righteous indignation and plain 'ole vengeance. Good post!
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