Aren't You Glad You Don't Get What You Deserve?

Aren’t You Grateful You Don’t Get What You Deserve?

Bill Brinkworth

“It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” Lamentations 3:22

Noah Webster described mercy as the “… tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves …” It is God’s “tenderness of heart” that overlooks all we have done, and allows us to have more than we deserve!

What we all truly deserve is:

Judgment for our sins.
To reap what we have sown. If we all had received the consequences from ALL our sins, none of us would have a moment that we were not regretting some consequence from a past mistake.
A place in hell because of our sin. Because of sin, “big” or “small”, no one will see heaven, unless they trust Jesus’ death on the cross as payment for their sins.
Nothing good. Why is it that so many think they “deserve” a longer life, more happiness, fewer troubles, more riches, or better opportunities than another?

None of us deserves anything, but then there is God’s mercy. His “tenderness of heart” gives all, especially those that are born into His family (John 3:3), far more than they deserve.

Thank you, Lord, for your compassion and mercy that:

Forgives and forgets every single sin when we are saved! Each sin we commit is against the Great God. He hates every sin; yet when we are saved, He forgives and forgets every single transgression (Psalms 103:12).
No matter who we are, or what we have done, His mercy allows each of us to be a child of His.
Gives us second, third, fourth … chances to try to correct our sin!
Even though we mess up, He still loves us!
Even though we can do so little for Him, He still will let us work for Him and be a testimony for Him. Often, it is like a two-year old trying to help an adult. In most situations, the child is probably more of a hindrance than a help, but still the adult lets the child try! That is what our patient God does! Even though we are weak and riddled with faults; He still will use us for His work, if we desire to be used.
Answers our requests when we seldom talk to Him. Too many only pray when there is a problem. Daily fellowship with Him is not common for many.
Listens to us any time of day or night. Try that with your parents or best friends!
Helps us when we get in a jam, because we did not listen to Him in the first place!
Shows us repeatedly what He wants us to do. The God of Heaven should only have to speak to us once, and we should do as He bids.

God is so good! We deserve nothing, but get so much from a wonderful Father. All have received much more of His mercy than is deserved. Then why can we not:

Forgive and forget when one hurts our feelings? Think how many times you have been forgiven!
Give others a second, third, or … chance, when they make a mistake?
Overlook and forget when folks talk against you? Think of all the times you have gossiped.
Still love and care for those that do wrong against us (Luke 6:28)? Be kind to those that cannot do as good a job, play ball, read in class, or are as smart as you are? God knows everything, yet He still listens to us and has compassion.
Help others when you see the need, even though they may have wronged you in the past? You have wronged God, yet He still helps you!
Have mercy on a person, when they are having a bad day or are not themselves because of a tragedy or problem in his life? Would you want to be ignored or forgotten when you are going through trials and tribulations? God would never do that to you, if you are His child.

Be a little more like God! Put up with more from others. Have mercy on others! Look what God puts up with in you!

“We hand folks over to God's mercy, and show none ourselves!” — Eliot

This lesson was featured in The Bible View #271.