Rescued by Mercy

In the coming days, the Lord will exercise mercy so extreme it will offend those who desire judgment instead of mercy for those who stand in a place of compromise.

Posted on

For the last few weeks, I keep hearing in my spirit the words “like a deer caught in the headlights.” These words create an image of a deer caught in the middle of a road blinded by the headlights of an approaching vehicle, unable to move and sadly becoming the victim of a collision. A great many things can blind people. Unhealthy self-confidence, pride, naivety, and ignorance are just a few. The glare of these blinding issues can be paralyzing.

Looking across the wide expanse of the different expressions of the Church and her leadership, many can resemble a deer caught in the headlights when it comes to their ability to interpret the gritty realities of life and how to exercise their faith in that reality. There has been a blinding taking place for several decades that is putting leaders and those they lead in the path of spiritual and emotional jeopardy. This jeopardy has taken place under the influence of a progressive form of theology that has diminished biblical authority putting people in the path of compromise.

As I pondered the image of individuals and groups being paralyzed under the influence of this deception, out from the edge of the roadway rushed a figure. The figure was Truth and Wisdom. He pushed those in the path of death and destruction out of the way of an approaching collision. It was an act of mercy. It was merciful because left on their own there was no way those under the influence of the deceptive headlights could ever escape.

In the coming days, the Lord will exercise mercy so extreme it will offend those who desire judgment instead of mercy for those who stand in a place of compromise. Those who carry a heart of mercy will be used by the Lord to work with Him to rescue individuals and entire groups who are on a spiritually fatal collision course. If we desire to be used by God in this way, we must be willing to lay down any thought of retribution, vengeance, or payback against those who moments before the potential collision mocked and shamed us for our beliefs.  Mercy is an act of rescue. We all need mercy if we are going to survive.

 

 

This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Garris Elkins

Featured Image by enriquelopezgarre from Pixabay

 

The views and opinions expressed by Kingdom Winds Collective Members, authors, and contributors are their own and do not represent the views of Kingdom Winds LLC.

About the Author

Garris Elkins is a Kingdom Winds Contributor. He and his wife, Jan, serve the global Church through writing, speaking, and mentoring. They live in southern Oregon, tucked away in the foothills of the Rogue Valley. Their shared desire is to have each person learn how to hear the heart of God and become a transforming voice in their culture.