MERCY FACTOR

GOD'S PUNISHMENT HAS A MERCY FACTOR!

King David after going against the will of God realized his mistake and asked for forgiveness. You can read the entire story in 1 Chronicles chapter 21. The only problem was that God had already decided to punish King David and Israel and He charged the angels to destroy the nation.

Because of David's repentance, God gave him 3 choices for a punishment in verse 12: "You may choose ..."
(1) three years of famine
(2) three months of destruction by your enemies
(3) three days of severe plague as the angel of the LORD brings devastation throughout the land of Israel.
David chose option 3. He responded, "But let me fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is very great. Do not let me fall into human hands."

David realized that if he chose famine, he is sanctioning a slow painful death to the nation. The future generations would be killed because of the lack of "food" given to them.
David realized that if he chose enemies' destruction, the nation of Israel would be wiped out because they would not let up.
David realized that if he chose angel of the Lord, the nation would be hurt but it would not be destroyed. He knew that God loved His children and His punishment included a mercy factor.

We might be going through a punishment or disciplining by God's hands in our lives, but it is not to wipe us out or put us to shame. It is for short time - only "3 days" - to show us that He is in control of everything. He deals with us in mercy and love. He wants to see us get up and grow, not stay down and die. He needs us to fall into His hands.

We make mistakes. We come up short in God's eyes and sometimes in man's eyes. We're not perfect, but we have a road to redemption through Jesus Christ. The punishment for sinners has been decided which was destruction for eternity. But if we realize and repent, God is gracious and merciful to relent his all-out onslaught of destruction and spare us to live another day.

Enjoy The Ride,

Cecil