Week Forty: Day Three

    October 08, 2025 | Be God's Family

    Living a Mercy-Filled Life

    Scripture: James 2:12-13(NIV)

    12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

    Devotional

    By: Nancy Foust

    Do you find it hard not to be judgmental about a person’s actions in a situation you don’t agree with?  All too often it is!  It seems automatic to start criticizing them for their actions and then discussing it with others, from your point of view.  We are going to discuss having mercy on that person and how to approach that aspect of life with positivity and mercy.

    Mercy is defined as God’s compassionate treatment and forgiveness towards those who are in need or have sinned, even though they deserve punishment. James 2:12-13 tells us how to live a mercy filled life by his works as written, “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.  Mercy triumphs over judgement.”

    Mercy is a difficult thought to take over your judgmental self.  We must try to be more positive and begin to look at the reasons an individual or group does what they do, that we don’t agree with, thus judging them, possibly incorrectly.  Think of a group of protestors standing up against a belief that is incorrect for your spiritual self.  Jesus says to forgive them for the disruption and have compassion for their strong beliefs in whatever the topic happens to be, but to pray for them. That is giving them mercy.  I will try to be better at being merciful, can you?

    Poem

    The Balance
    Proverbs 31

    Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
    Proverbs 31:8-9

    I long to honor God above
    To speak the Truth, to act in Love
    To stand for Justice, Mercy show
    To live this balance, in it grow

    For Truth alone is sharp judgment
    A clanging gong, a harsh attempt
    And Love alone without the Truth
    Is mushy Mercy, rotten fruit

    To fairly judge—Truth’s sentence mete—
    With Mercy’s Love—a divine feat
    So Lord, instruct me in Your way
    That I might live Your will always

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