10 Then the people of Isra’el cried to Adonai, “We have sinned against you by forsaking our God and serving the ba‘alim.” 11 Adonai said to the people of Isra’el, “I saved you from the Egyptians, the Emorim, the people of ‘Amon, and the P’lishtim, didn’t I? 12 Likewise, when the people of Tzidon, ‘Amalek and Ma‘on oppressed you, you cried out to me; and I rescued you from their power. 13 Yet you abandoned me and served other gods; therefore I will not rescue you any more. 14 Go and cry to the gods you chose; let them rescue you when you’re in trouble!” 15 The people of Isra’el said to Adonai, “We have sinned! Treat us in whatever way seems good to you, but save us today, please!” 16 They got rid of their foreign gods and served Adonai, and he became troubled by Isra’el’s misery.
RG AUDIO 050415
"Justice vs. Mercy" by Author: Maureen McClain
Some say that justice is getting what you deserve, and mercy is not getting what you deserve. But there’s more to it than that. “Mercy” is showing compassion toward someone you have the power to punish or harm.
Over the centuries, the Israelites repeatedly turned away from the Lord to worship other gods, and He repeatedly punished them. Why? To bring about their repentance, submission, then forgiveness. In Judges 10 we learn God allowed other peoples to oppress the Israelites. They repented (“we have sinned”). They submitted (“do with us whatever you think best”). He forgave them (“He could bear Israel’s misery no longer”).
This is a picture of the salvation God offers us through Jesus Christ. When we confess our sins (repentance), and take Jesus as our Lord (submission), He will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (salvation). In order to receive God’s mercy instead of His justice, we must repent. The Israelites showed that their repentance was real, by getting rid of the foreign gods and idols and returning to the Lord. We must do the same.
Hymn for Today: "Surely Goodness and Mercy"
Verse 1:
A pilgrim was I, and a wandering,
In the cold night of sin I did roam,
When Jesus the kind Shepherd found me,
And now I am on my way home.
Chorus:
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days, all the days of my life;
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days, all the days of my life.
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever,
And I shall feast at the table spread for me;
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days, all the days of my life.
Verse 2:
He restoreth my soul when I'm weary,
He giveth me strength day by day;
He leads me beside the still waters,
He guards me each step of the way.
Chorus:
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days, all the days of my life;
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days, all the days of my life.
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever,
And I shall feast at the table spread for me;
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days, all the days of my life.
Verse 3:
When I walk through the dark lonesome valley,
My savior will walk with me there;
And safely His great hand will lead me
To the mansions He's gone to prepare.
Chorus:
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days, all the days of my life;
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days, all the days of my life.
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever,
And I shall feast at the table spread for me;
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days, all the days of my life.
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