Mercy on our enemy.

Jeremiah Griffin — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 13:20:30 +0000

The Lord has been dealing with me on the concept of vengeance and anger in reaction to my “enemies.”

Micah 2:3
Therefore, the LORD says:
“I am planning disaster against this people,
from which you cannot save yourselves.

It started with one thought. How can I wish evil on my enemy? God has prepared eternal judgment for the wicked and also made a way of salvation.

Romans 12:19
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

God has prepared vengeance and God requires that we allow Him to take care of repayment. So if God has prepared punishment but also forgiveness then we should not wish our enemies evil but grace. Grace that they would find favor in God’s eyes and avoid vengeance that is beyond anything we can imagine.

Romans 12:14
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

As a Christian when dealing with unbelievers or saints we are instructed not to curse our adversary but to lift them up and bless them before God. (Romans 12:12, Psalm 109) to pray God has mercy on the evil

In Romans 12:21 we are instructed to “not repay evil for evil but to overcome evil with good.” My mother used these verses over and over as I was a child growing up. The wisdom of a mother and the wisdom of scripture combined to give me a powerful life lesson that I am STILL learning today. He years of time in the ministry has seen lots of hurt, this lesson was one of experience. Today it is frightfully evident.

The psalmist cries in Psalm 109:21
“But you, O GOD my Lord,
deal on my behalf for your name’s sake;
because your steadfast love is good, deliver me!”

In the middle of a great accusation against his enemy and a call for God’s vengeance, he stops. He calls for God not to curse his enemy (it is almost like he realizes the enemy will get what is coming to him it is an awesome and fitting passage) but more importantly that God would have mercy on Him for his own weakness

Exodus 33:19 (God speaking)
“I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The LORD.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.

Pray today for Mercy. Mercy from God for yourself. Mercy from God for your enemies.

Forgiven

Jeremiah Griffin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:03:25 +0000

This morning waves of emotion. It seems that as God blesses and changes my mindset it gets more difficult. As I drovethe truck (works when it is not raining) this morning trying to drive off the water in the air filter I cranked up the Skillet and just let go. God is in control and no matter what I try to do I can not thwart that plan for my life. Today I am broken from my sin. It feels strangely good.

Ps. 37:28
For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not His saints; they are preserved forever. . .”

The Lyrics of Skillet’s song “Forgiven” pulled me in to a frame of worship, the chorus … wow. “Alone in Your embrace”:

FORGIVEN
[V1]
Forgive me now cause I Have been unfaithful
Don’t ask me why cause I don’t know
So many times I’ve tried But was unable
But this heart belongs to you alone

Chorus
Now I’m in our secret place
Alone in your embrace
Where all my wrongs have been erased
You have forgiven

All the promises and lies
All the times I compromise
All the times you were denied
You have forgiven

[V2]
Forgive me I’m ashamed
I’ve loved another
I can’t explain cause I don’t know
No one can take your place
And there is no other
Forever yours and yours alone

Bridge
Take me to our secret place
(We’ll leave the world away)
I get down on my knees
Feel your love wash over me
There will never be another
You’re the only one forever
And you know I’m yours alone

I stand in awe of the Glory of God.

Jeremiah Griffin » forgiven

Mercy on our enemy.

Forgiven