God is just. I believe that to be true. In the final judgment, God will act justly. But, if the only attribute of God is justice, who could stand in the face of God's judgment? Who has lived perfectly enough? Who has done all that could be done for the church, community, and world? Not me. The needs are endless and even if I always did the right thing,(which I don't), I'd still fall short.
But, thanks be to God, the Lord is also merciful. That gives me hope, that when I confess my human failings before God, as the tax collector did, I can receive forgiveness and find hope for the future. As the devotion says, "God knows the heart that cries out in desperation from sin's dead ends. God has always heard the cries for mercy." Today I am especially thankful for God's mercy, given so lovingly in the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
I personally don't demand justice from God. Perhaps that's because He has given me far, Far, FAR more than I would ever even think to ask for. I also find that I don't need to ask for His mercy...because I experience His boundless grace constantly! What I need to do is acknowledge my sins, ask for help in staying on God's path, and request that the Spirit would help ME to be merciful.
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