Heart Check: Mercy Triumphs Over Judgement
Prayer:
Oh Father, as Your children, may we truly be carriers of Your Light and Love!
Heart Check:
How quick we are to enter into the judgements procured by a “second heaven” mindset, judging matters in our soul and flesh; condemning without truly understanding the far reaching ramifications of this kind of “self-righteous mindset” that is so contrary to Your own….
“Second Heaven” : a heavenly realm outside of the earth influenced by the enemy — “the Prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2-4).
Yes. There is both the severity and the kindness of God, but the heart of our Father God is merciful, loving and kind — He is not willing that any should perish.
For our Father God SO LOVED the WHOLE world — the entirely of humanity — that HE GAVE His One and only Begotten precious Son to redeem us, to purchase us back to Himself!
“For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.” John 3:16-17 AMPC.
Those who claim to speak for Him — a Heart-check please…
Father says to us, “Lay aside the religious constructs that serve only to exalt you in your own estimate of yourself while abasing others.”
These six things The LORD hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him:
A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, (Proverbs 6:16-17 AMPC).
Further, He speaks, “I have spoken in these days through My Son.”
“He has spoken in these days through His Son”. Ponder this deeply. (Hebrews 12:2-3)
How has He spoken?
What has He spoken through the matchless Life, Truth and Love of His Only Begotten Son?
Jesus, came in the flesh, in the sinful guise of flesh, becoming one of us, taking our place, bearing the entirety of the weight of the sins of all of mankind upon Himself, upon that Cross, suffering unimaginable brutality and humiliation at the hands of sinful, self-righteous men, suffering all of this in order to redeem us back to Father’s heart and original intention for our lives.
This is what Mercy and Love looks like! In “the flesh” — tempered with perfect righteousness.
Father could have easily wiped out humanity and started again from scratch — but He didn’t.
He made a way to redeem “sinful flesh” — that’s you and I and every human being on this planet who would give Him their, “Yes!”
And it cost Him….. everything!
Jesus; the perfect atonement for our sin…
The cost of this sacrifice — immeasurable!
Kneel “before the Cross.” Ponder this. Embrace this, until you weep for what it cost Him to bring us back to Himself.
Jesus has purchased for us what we could never purchase on our own.
Ponder this deeply, and don’t speak, until you have His heart.
Does your heart tremble before The LORD?
A Word and a judgement from “second heaven” is easy to transcribe and can come almost with glee, and a self-righteous satisfaction that “things will be dealt with….”
When called to bring a true Word of Judgment from The Father, does it not also come with a weight of burden for the people and lives involved?
I would ask, “Does your heart tremble?”
Do you lay yourself prostrate before The Father, invoking as much as is possible, the mercy of Father God that triumphs over judgment?
“(And we have come) to Jesus, the Mediator (Go-between, Agent) of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood which speaks [of mercy], a better and nobler and more gracious message than the blood of Abel [which cried out for vengeance]. So see to it that you do not reject Him or refuse to listen to and heed Him Who is speaking [to you now].…” Hebrews 12:24-25a AMPC.
When I have been called to bring a word of judgment, the weight of Father’s burden for the souls at stake is placed within my soul and spirit — and even my flesh.
I weep. I lay myself prostrate before Father, and I tremble before I even dare to speak, or record what He has spoken…
I ask for The Father’s Mercy to be poured out upon the people at stake — even as I ask for the evil to be exposed and brought to Judgment.
“We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers…and against the rulers of the darkness of this age ….” Ephesians 6:12 NKJV.
Ask For My Mercy:
In 2011, Father God spoke to me, exhorting me, saying, “WHEN these judgements must come upon the lands because of the weight of the “blood guilt upon the lands”
You My People, stand in the gap and ask for My MERCY!”
He gave me this specific passage from scripture as He spoke to my heart: “If I shut up heaven so no rain falls, or if I command locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people,
If My People, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.”
“(For when your heart is in this posture) — then My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer offered in this place.” (2 Chronicles 7:13-15 brackets and emphasis from The Father.
What “Voice” Are We Allowing to Speak Forth?
Examine further in the New Testament, the sons of Thunder, and the brashness of Peter before the Advent of the Cross.
“And when His disciples James and John observed this, they said, LORD, do You wish us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, even as Elijah did? But He (Jesus); turned and rebuked and severely censured them. He said, You do not know of what sort of spirit you are, For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them[from the penalty of eternal death].” Luke 9:54-56.
How do we represent our Master truly, understanding and speak rightly on His behalf if His heart of love and truth has not first transformed our own heart?
“And if you had only known what this saying means, I desire mercy [readiness to help, to spare, to forgive] rather than sacrifice and sacrificial victims, you would not have condemned the guiltless.” Matthew 12:7.
From Psalm 73, when, or if, our heart is embittered or filled with self-righteous judgments and we “speak” from this place, who’s kingdom do we bring to bear, and what are the consequences?
This is what the Word of God says, “If I had spoken thus I would have dealt treacherously with this generation.”
“Surely then in vain have I cleansed my heart and washed my hands in innocency. For all the day long have I been smitten and plagued, and chastened every morning. Had I spoken thus [and given expression to my feelings], I would have been untrue and have dealt treacherously against the generation of Your children. But when I considered how to understand this, it was too great an effort for me and too painful until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood [for I considered] their end.” Psalm 73:13-17 AMPC.
In All of Our Ways Look to “The Way”
In all of our ways, people of The LORD, we must look to the “Rock” from which we are hewn, and to our patriarchs, Moses and Abraham for examples of godly leadership in this matter.
Contrast their response carefully with Jonah’s proud, merciless mindset.
- Moses stood before Father to appeal on behalf of the Israelites. (see below)
- Abraham entreated Father God for mercy on behalf of Lot in Sodom and Gomorrah…(See Genesis 18:16-33)
- Jonah? He ran from the Word he was called to give, because he knew that Father God was merciful, and Jonah, in his self-righteous pride, could not handle Father’s relentless mercy to a people that Jonah had deemed unworthy of Father’s mercy! (See the Book of Jonah)
Topical Encyclopedia
Biblical Context:
Moses’ intercession for Israel is a significant event that highlights his role as a mediator between God and the Israelites. This event is primarily recorded in the Book of Exodus, specifically in chapters 32-34, and is further referenced in the Book of Numbers and Deuteronomy. The intercession occurs after the Israelites commit idolatry by worshiping the golden calf while Moses is on Mount Sinai receiving the Law from God.
“The narrative begins with God informing Moses of the Israelites’ sin. God expresses His anger and intention to destroy the people and make a great nation out of Moses. “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves'” (Exodus 32:7). Moses, however, pleads with God to relent from His wrath, appealing to God’s reputation among the Egyptians and His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses’ intercession is successful, as “the LORD relented from the calamity He had threatened to bring on His people” (Exodus 32:14).” Exodus 32:7-14.
“Following the initial intercession, Moses returns to the people, confronts their sin, and then goes back to God to seek atonement for them. Moses offers himself as a substitute, saying, “But now, please forgive their sin. Yet if not, please blot me out of the book You have written” (Exodus 32:32). God responds by affirming that He will hold those who sinned accountable but instructs Moses to lead the people to the promised land, with His angel going before them.” Exodus 32:30-35.
“Moses continues to intercede, seeking assurance of God’s presence with Israel. He implores God, “If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here” (Exodus 33:15). God reassures Moses, promising His presence will go with them and give them rest. Moses’ bold request to see God’s glory is partially granted, as God allows Moses to see His goodness and hear His name proclaimed, while shielding him from seeing His face.” Exodus 33:12-23.
“God instructs Moses to chisel out two new stone tablets, and Moses ascends Mount Sinai once more. God reveals His character to Moses, proclaiming His name and attributes, including His mercy, grace, and justice. Moses quickly bows in worship and again intercedes for the people, asking God to forgive their wickedness and take them as His inheritance. God renews the covenant, emphasizing His commitment to Israel despite their transgressions.” Exodus 34:1-10.
Theological Significance:
Moses’ intercession is a profound demonstration of his leadership and love for the Israelites.
It underscores the importance of mediation and the power of prayer in the relationship between God and His people. (Bible Hub)
Stabbed Dr. Reveals 9 Surprising Qualities of God ~ John Burke podcast:
Were You There When They Crucified My LORD ~ feat Andrea Thomas- Vigil Project:
~ Shelley M Ed
Shelley M Ed/ LifeSetMinistries: Ordained Minister CMA/ working with Leaders and Ministry Houses: US/CAN/INT. Leadership development, counselling, and oversight.
“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom…. Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning” Luke 12:32;35.