DEUTERONOMY 34:1, 4
Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is across from Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land.
Then the LORD said to him, “This is the land of which I swore to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, I will give it to your descendants.’ I have caused you to see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there. ’
According to French historians, a mother visited Napoleon on behalf of her condemned son. The emperor told her the young man had committed the same offense twice, and justice demanded the death penalty. “But Sire,” she pleaded, “I don’t ask for justice—only for mercy.” “He doesn’t deserve it,” Napoleon replied. “No, he doesn’t,” she admitted, “but it would not be mercy if he deserved it.” “You’re right!” said the ruler. “I’ll grant your request and show him mercy!”
On more than one occasion Moses let his anger lead him into sin. It was anger that caused him to kill the Egyptian taskmaster (Ex. 2:11-12). Later God instructed him to speak to the rock and it would produce water. In his anger at the people, Moses struck the rock instead. Consequently, God said, “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them” (Num. 20:12). God’s justice required a consequence, His mercy tempered those results. Even though Moses could not enter the land, God gave him the opportunity to see from the top of Mount Pisgah.
The old hymn is right: “There’s a wideness in God’s mercy like the wideness of the sea; There’s a kindness in His justice which is more than liberty.” God is good being merciful, just as He is good at being just.
If you feel like there is no hope for because of your sin, remember God’s mercy. You may bear the consequence of those transgressions, but God will not cast you out. Throw yourself on His mercy.
MERCY IS NOT AN EXCUSE TO SIN, BUT IT IS OUR ONLY HOPE WHEN WE DO SIN.
Woodrow Kroll
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