God is Merciful

Scripture: 2 Kings 1:13-15

So he again sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. When the third captain of fifty went up, he came and bowed down on his knees before Elijah, and begged him and said to him, “O man of God, please let my life and the lives of these fifty servants of yours be precious in your sight.  “Behold fire came down from heaven and consumed the first two captains of fifty with their fifties; but now let my life be precious in your sight.”  The angel of the Lord said to Elijah, “Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.” So he arose and went down with him to the king.

Insights:  Yesterday we observed God’s display of power as He consumed two commanders and their groups of fifty.  In today’s verses we see a third commander over fifty more people show up and his response is different than that of the first two commanders.  Instead of being arrogant and full of self-pride, this third commander humbles himself before God and bows to Elijah and asks for mercy to be extended to him and his men.  This third guy understands Elijah is not the one with the power, but God.  He is only using Elijah’s name because he is the mouth piece on the hill that he can see.  Has this third commanders job changed from that of the first two?  No, he is still supposed to get Elijah and bring him back to be put to death.  In that sense of the command, is he deserving of any more mercy than the first two commanders?  The answer is an obvious no, yet, mercy has been granted to this man.  Why?  The answer is because God is a merciful God full of grace and compassion.  This commander humbled himself before God and this stirs the heart of our God.  He is quick to show loving kindness to the humble of spirit.  Beloved, I fear that all too often we are like the first two soldiers.  We are full of our personal power and might.  We think we can really do something because we are hot stuff, but before an almighty God we are truly insignificant and we need Him.  It is not the other way around, He does not need us.  Let me encourage you to face life and our Lord with this proper attitude of humility and then experience God’s mercy on your life.

Questions:

1.  When was the last time you recognized God displaying mercy to you?

2.  In what way did He show Himself merciful by extending to you His grace?

Prayer: Father, I am so unworthy of your mercy and grace.  Yet, I am so thankful You dispense it to me.  Help me to be aware and sensitive to Your gift of love in my life and let me walk in the warmth of Your embrace.  Amen.