Nanny had sent us outside to play quietly. Mommy wasn't feeling well today. Mommy was always well, so to see her in bed was a new experience for my sister and I. We wanted to make her better. Surely there was something we could do to help with her healing. What do people do for others who are ill? They bring flowers!
Our eyes immediately fell on our Daddy's prized tulips. They were gorgeous. Every colour under the sun was in full bloom. People were always stopping and marvelling over their beauty. They would definitely cheer Mommy and make her better. As quickly as we could we plucked all the heads off every tulip. Our little arms could barely contain such treasure. We were so excited!
Carefully and quietly we entered the house and crept silently up the stairs. Our faces were beaming as we presented our precious gift to Mommy. She appeared to have a mixed reaction. Her hesitation made us instantly aware that we had done something wrong. Although she appreciated our motive, she was somewhat reserved in her expression of gratitude. Considering the time her husband had devoted to the care of these flowers, her heart was torn by our love for her and the lost delight in the effort of her husband's hand.
When Daddy arrived home from work that day, it only took him minutes to notice that his garden had been burglarized of blossoms. He came immediately to my sister and I and gently asked if either of us knew what had happened to his flowers. He wondered; did we have anything to do with this decapitating? We were quick to point at one another.
I'll never forget what happened next. Daddy asked us if we promised to never do this again. With deepest sincerity we shook our little heads. We were so sorry. In trying to bring happiness to one parent, we had deeply disappointed another. Daddy told us to dry our tears because he was taking us out for ice cream. Ice cream? We were sure we were going to be punished for our actions. Daddy explained that he had forgiven us and that because we vowed that we would refrain from ever picking his flowers again without permission, we were going to celebrate. Celebrate forgiveness, restoration and a promise made. This is mercy.
Mercy has been defined as a divine attribute of God. We know from scripture that the Lord is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4) and David acknowledges in 1 Chronicles that God's mercy is very great. Mercy withholds consequences when we are deserving of punishment. It is one way in which God reveals to us His faithfulness and unfailing love.
King David insisted on taking a census of the people. It wasn't that taking a census in itself is sinful, but only when it is an action of unbelief. For David, at this moment, taking a census revealed he was depending on self, not God. Did he have enough people to provide for his protection? David had Joab follow-through with his plan, and it greatly displeased God.
When the king finally realized his wrong, he went before the Lord admitting his sin. God presented three choices for punishment: famine, destruction by the sword of enemies or a severe plague by the angel of the LORD (1 Chronicles 21:11-12). It is to this that David asks to fall into the hands of the LORD, for His mercy is very great.
Throughout scripture we see the angel of the LORD speaking as God, identifying Himself with God and acting on behalf of God. David understands that the only wise choice is to come under the mercy of God. With the Lord there is a "'Stop! That is enough!'" (see 1 Chronicles 21:15). Although we are so undeserving, praise the Lord there is a this far and no further. Affliction and adversity can arise as discipline for sin, but mercy triumphs over judgement (James 2:13). Mercy withholds punishment and grace delivers the ice cream!
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