Mercy

I have known mercy. I feel its presence with me every day, in every moment of my life.

God holds the delicate thread of our lives in His hands. He knew the exact moment of our entrance into this world, and He knows with certainty the day we shall each depart. He alone holds the keys to both life and death.

I consider myself profoundly fortunate to be among the living. There were times when I brushed dangerously close to death, narrowly escaping twice. Reflecting on these moments fills me with gratitude. I often find myself asking, what can I offer to the Lord for His boundless mercy and kindness?

Through experiences and reflection, I’ve come to realize our true purpose on earth: to serve God and fulfill His will. Many fail to see this. They assume life is merely about being born, enjoying ourselves, raising families, gathering wealth, and then passing away. Few understand that we should be preparing to meet God. Our calling is to live in a way that reflects the standards of Jehovah. Living in obedience. 

Attending church services and participating in worship doesn’t, on its own, prepare us to meet God. It goes deeper. One must learn the right path and live according to it. Hebrews 12:14 says, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."

Continually, we must ask ourselves, "Is the teaching I’m receiving preparing me for the first resurrection? Or am I a fake church goer living in hypocrisy?"

God gives us constant reminders that our time on earth is limited. Do you experience aches and pains that weren’t there before? Are your vision and/or hearing not as sharp as they once were? Do you see wrinkles and signs of age on your face? These changes are gentle whispers that we are drawing closer to our end.

Death stands ever-ready, yet God holds it back, saying, “Wait, not yet.”

In my mind’s eye, I see the death angel saying, "These people do not live for You, Lord. They indulge in every sin, with no regard for Your laws. Why do You have mercy on them?" But the Lord replies, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."

Are we still here simply by chance, regardless of whether we are in our 20s, 30s, 40s, or even 90s? No, it is not luck. It is the merciful hand of God, extending grace, allowing us time to draw near to Him—even if we must crawl to do so. 

Yet, so many wander from the path we are called to walk. We must remember that this mercy will not last indefinitely. One day, God may decide to withdraw the very breath from our bodies. One day, death will come knocking, and God will say, “Take him; take her.”

She’s on the bus—“Take her.”

He lies down to sleep—“Take him.”

She’s preparing a meal—“Take her.”

They’re traveling—“Take them.”

She complains of a mild headache—“Take her.”

He’s at work—“Take him, right now.”

In the operating room—“Take the doctor, and heal the patient.”

2 Kings 20:5-6 tells us of a man who had a broken heart and begged for mercy and God listened. It says:

5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord.

6 And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.

God keeps giving the world chance after chance. Some of us have survived terrible accidents, been shot and lived, been stabbed yet are still here, overdosed on drugs but didn’t die, lived recklessly and escaped harm, or even flatlined in the operating room only to be revived.

Many of us made promises to God, pledging to change or do certain things if He saved us. Even knowing we might fall short, He still extended mercy and delivered us.

God is better to us than we often are to ourselves. Knowing this, why is it so hard to surrender our lives to Him?

Many of us are living on borrowed time. These are the last days, and in the last days, the message is warning to the people and not fun, feel good or motivational sermons. The message is, be Holy.

If we refuse to change, repent of our wickedness, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ which is the commandment of God and live Godly lives, the truth is that we will suffer a penalty for being arrogant, self righteous and burn in an everlasting hell. 1 John 3:8 says, "He that committeth sin is of the devil..."

Hear the final word on the matter: The time to change is now because none of us is sure of tomorrow or even the next hour. The death angel iss always at work and the only time he stops is when the Lord commands. Friends, the Lord is coming and we don' have the luxury of time. Are you ready?

Thus saith the Lord, "Set

 thine house in order."