Considering all that we’re dealing with right now, we could use the reminder. Mercy is not an excuse or a reward for behavior. It is not a cover-up, or put-off. It isn’t some lightly held thing we can rely on. It is a gift given and then it can be gratefully received.

We don’t make hard decisions expecting mercy either way. It isn’t a do-over and a safety net. It is not the thing that makes us think it’s all good!

When we screw up, we must know that we’ve screwed up. That’s how we can repent and ask for forgiveness. GOD’s mercy isn’t a get out of jail free card that prevents us from going to jail. It only counts for anything when we feel like we’re in jail already.