Who is God?
Someone who always judges with justice and mercy combined.
I listen to Daily Audio Bible each day. I enjoy hearing Brian read the Bible and pray. We are now in Exodus and Matthew. In Exodus, God told Moses to make a breastplate for Aaron to wear when he came into the temple. It had two special stones on it called the Urim and Thummin.
These were used to discover the will of God and for judgment. What I loved learning yesterday was that God put these stones over the heart of Aaron.
"Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron's heart whenever he enters the presence of the LORD. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions (some translations say judgment) for the Israelites over his heart before the LORD." Exodus 28:30
I think this was symbolic of God who always administers justice with love and mercy.
"Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you." Psalm 89:14
"This is what the LORD Almighty said: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Zechariah 7:9
"So now, come back to your God. Act with love and justice, and always depend on him." Hosea 12:6
"Nevertheless, the LORD will wait so he can be gracious to you; and thus he will rise up to show you mercy. For the LORD is a God of justice. How blessed are all those who wait for him." Isaiah 30:18
Who am I?
Someone who loves to see mercy.
In this world, justice is rarely given with mercy. There is no mercy in giving 20 years to someone who was caught with pot in his pocket. There is no mercy in solitary confinement. There is no mercy in the death penalty. There is no mercy when children do crimes; they are now charged the same as adults. There is no mercy in torturing terrorists.
I'm glad God is merciful in his judgments. I am thankful for such a God.
