Do you like revenge? Do you enjoy seeing others get what they deserve when they don’t follow the rules? Do you ever ask God to get even with someone on your behalf? What about yourself–do you follow all of God’s rules? Are you aware of the offenses God says deserve death? Things such as sacrificing to other gods, sacrificing children in fire, worshipping other gods (remember a god can be anything from money to your children), false prophecy, divination (black magic or witchcraft), blasphemy, failure to observe the Sabbath, adultery, incest, homosexuality, beastiality, murder, smiting or cursing a parent, bearing false witness…there are others as well. 

You may be relieved to know God’s character. “ADONAI [the Lord] is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in grace.  He will not always accuse, he will not keep his anger forever. He has not treated us as our sins deserve or paid back our offenses because His mercy toward those who fear Him is as far above earth as heaven. He has removed our sins from us as far as the east is from the west.” (Psalm 103:8-12)

Do you know the difference between grace and mercy? Grace is being given something you don’t deserve and mercy means we are not given what we do deserve, which is death. The next time you want to ask God to take revenge for you, try to remember your own offenses and be overjoyed instead that He is “merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in grace.” Grace and mercy–do you desire grace and mercy over your own life? “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8 NIV)