Today's Scripture Reading (April 24, 2024): Romans 9
What if God is patient? Not just because he didn't return during the first century but because he still holds back his wrath from us today. It's not that we don't deserve it. We can't say that we don't. We deserve nothing but his wrath. But what if God chose not to pour out his wrath at this moment and instead covered us with his mercy, reminding us that we can still be who he created us to be and for the purpose for which he has created us? Admittedly, some of us he created for a more noble purpose, but most of us for a purpose that is more common. The common thread between us is that he made us for his purpose. What if God showed us his mercy so that his glory could be seen through us and that purpose?
Near the end
of the movie "To End All Wars," a scene explores this idea of mercy.
The war is over; the Japanese have lost, but they are still in control of the
camp and are working on a kind of agreement with the prisoners. Then, one day,
a group of wounded Japanese soldiers arrive at the gates of the prison camp.
Their arrival causes a panic. The Japanese can't let them in because it could
cause a revolt among the prisoners, and for the prisoners to help the soldiers
would considered giving aid and comfort to the enemy.
Despite all this,
one of the prisoners begins walking toward the truck. His commander issues a
command: the prisoner must not help the injured soldiers; he is ordered not to give
and comfort to the enemy. The soldier replies that he is not giving aid and
comfort to the enemy; he is helping a human being. In this moment, it doesn't
matter that that the enemy has abused him, that they have killed some of his
friends without cause. In this moment, he refuses to reflect all the wrong that
has been done to him back and focuses his attention on helping this wounded
group of Japanese soldiers. He would be an instrument of mercy, grace, and
forgiveness.
What if God
was patient? What if his patience and mercy were designed to flow through us? Two stories came to mind as I prayed over this passage. The first
story was the story of Noah and the Ark. In that story, God destroyed humankind,
except for Noah and his family. I know that it was a long time ago and that our
records from that time are almost non-existent, but we don't see Noah pleading
for God's mercy and patience in what we do have. Seven hundred years later, God
would make the suggestion again. Moses, let me destroy the Israelites; allow me
to begin over again with you. Moses, I will make you into a new nation. Except
this time, Moses pleaded for the lives of the people. This time, Moses asked
for the mercy and patience that are so much a part of God's nature.
What if God
was patient, and because of his patience and mercy, we decided to reflect that
patience and compassion? What if that was all that was meant in the idea of
living the Christian life?
The Bible is
clear: God has a plan for all of us and the mercy and patience to help change
the world in which we live. He is waiting for us to realize the potential he
has placed in all of us.
What if …
Tomorrow's Scripture
Reading: Romans 10
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