As I was driving to church yesterday I passed a policeman. When I looked in the rearview mirror and saw him turn around I knew I was toast. He soon turned on his red lights and I pulled over.
As he came to the window and asked for my license and registration he asked if I knew how fast I was going. I didn’t, but told him that we were running late for church. The policeman indicated that I was going 10 miles over the speed limit. Tammy asked if we could have mercy. But, much like we are without Christ, I was guilty and deserved justice.
As the policeman went back to his car to check my license, I felt shame. After all, Tammy often would tell me in that very spot on Sunday mornings to slow down. I pulled the window shade down as far as it would go to try to make myself invisible from the eyes of those driving by and looking to see who had been pulled over. I felt shame from my guilt.
When the policeman came back he said he would be giving me a warning ticket. I had received mercy, just as I received when Christ died for my sins. I deserved a speeding ticket. I deserved justice, but was given mercy. What a wonderful picture of the gospel!
Song of the Week
We introduce a new feature this week, the song of the week. Our first song is….
Thy Mercy, My God
- Text: John Stocker 1776/New Melody: Sandra McCracken
- 1. Thy mercy, my God, is the theme of my song,
The joy of my heart. and the boast of my tongue;
Thy free grace alone, from the first to the last,
Hath won my affections, and bound my soul fast.
2. Without Thy sweet mercy I could not live here;
Sin would reduce me to utter despair;
But, through Thy free goodness, my spirits revive,
And He that first made me still keeps me alive.
3. Thy mercy is more than a match for my heart,
Which wonders to feel its own hardness depart;
Dissolved by Thy goodness, I fall to the ground,
And weep to the praise of the mercy I’ve found.
4. Great Father of mercies, Thy goodness I own,
And the covenant love of Thy crucified Son;
All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine
Seals mercy, and pardon, and righteousness mine.
All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine
Seals mercy, and pardon, and righteousness mine.
Sing along! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRux8NlvEYo&safe=active