S. O. A. P.

Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!

S-cripture:

James 2:13

Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

O-bservation:

James, the half brother of Jesus, made a bold statement that has largely gone unheeded in the world. If one is unwilling to lay mercy on top of judgment toward others, then surely judgment will fall upon the same. If James was raised with Jesus from his childhood, surely James knew the Lord’s heart on this matter.

A-pplication:

As the father of a “Special Needs” son, I’ve witnessed firsthand the judgment of others toward a helpless boy. So this passage of scripture resonates with me as a father. Here’s what I’m asking, please fix your gaze this AM on our Heavenly Father. If I’ve wept over the mistreatment of my precious son, you can imagine the brokenness The Lord experiences in His heart, every day, as countless millions of His children judge His other children. And … just like I was angered as a father over the mistreatment of my son, so too our Heavenly Father is enraged when folks refuse to show MERCY over judgment. The issue of judging others must end. We can certainly hold to a standard that we personally will not cross, but to lay our standard on someone else and then judge them cries for change. It is time for all “Followers of Jesus” to understand that people who mess up in life are “Special Needs” in Jesus’ sight. Indeed, it is high time that … “Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment.”

P-rayer:

Dear Jesus,

All I’m focused on this AM is Your continual MERCY in my life. Yes, I have paid the price for sins committed, but certainly not what I’ve deserved. Only because of Your MERCY. Amen