Ramblings On My Response to God's Mercy
Because of Who God is. I've argued for the right to life based on who we are and on that we are. My arguments are based on a twisting of legal views and man-centered theological views. However, taking away my man-centered view on such issues, I want God's view and God at the center.
Considering the life of a woman or a man or a child who is not cognitively aware of his/her surroundings or with limited awareness. A person so dependent on others for the most basic of care- toileting, bathing, feeding, etc. Save perhaps for a tiny fetus in the womb or a newborn baby, truly the most helpless and weakest of lives among us.
Based on the character of God do such individuals have a right to life?
Based on the character of God do I have a right to live? No! For the wages of my sin is death! I have no right to life, eternal or otherwise. God is good. I am evil.
However, because of God's unfailing love and gracious mercy, I live and am given through the work of Jesus on the cross eternal life.
Even so, even having been created in the image of God, because I am a daughter of Adam, I am so weak! Apart from God I have no good thing. I am dust. Yet, God picks up my weak, rag doll of a body and walks me through this life every day! Provididng my every need!
I get up at 7:16 every morning, and I cannot get out of bed. I have no energy in the mornings. I just want to sleep. Yet, as I begin to make my choice of whether or not to rise, God enters in. He gives me the grace every morning to choose to get up and go and do the work He's called me to do in this season of my life. It's His strength- not mine.
All day at work, I find it more than difficult to keep a servant's heart for the woman I care for. When she calls for me after she's been resting, for instance, I find it so difficult to pull myself away from the television show that has caught my attention or my reading material. I want to serve this woman. My spirit is willing. But my flesh is weak! I resent her intrusion on my pleasure with her needs, and in that moment, God, again, enters. I know He's there. I ask for forgiveness and ask for strength to walk into this woman's room and serve her in whatever way she needs- because I can't do it on my own.
I am selfish, and I am weak!
Many, many times during the day I am faced with temptations to sin. And I really, really struggle. When I am tempted, GOD ENTERS IN, and He either provides a way out of the temptation or in His glorious mercy invites me to walk through this temptation with Him into His throne room of grace where He teaches me about Him and provides whatever need I am trying to meet myself in my tempted area of sin. And if I do sin, He is quick to forgive and to admonish me for my sin, to teach me of its ugliness and His holiness. Surely He disciplines the ones He loves!
And He loves me! Oh, what a God Who would love someone like me. His love for me only demonstrates how great He is.
How dare I then, in turn, look at someone weaker than I, physically or otherwise, and refuse to be merciful and loving and not care for him or her? How dare I say that this person is too miserable and too weak, too sick, to unable? How dare I not show this person the same mercy God shows me?
Many times in the Bible people have begged God for death. Job for instance:
20 “Oh, why give light to those in misery,
and life to those who are bitter?
21 They long for death, and it won’t come.
They search for death more eagerly than for hidden treasure.
22 They’re filled with joy when they finally die,
and rejoice when they find the grave.
23 Why is life given to those with no future,
those God has surrounded with difficulties?
Job 3
God does not comply. Instead, He later admonishes Job for all the ways Job questioned God's wisdom.
God shows mercy and grace for the weak. "He remembered us in our weakness. His faithful love endures forever." (Ps 136: 23)
7 He revealed his character to Moses
and his deeds to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
9 He will not constantly accuse us,
nor remain angry forever.
10 He does not punish us for all our sins;
he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
12 He has removed our sins as far from us
as the east is from the west.
13 The Lord is like a father to his children,
tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
14 For he knows how weak we are;
he remembers we are only dust.
Psalm 103
How dare I say one weaker than I is worthy of death? Using, terms such as 'mercy killing', of all things?
Suffering is horrible. It is no light thing. We are better off dead and at peace with our Maker than alive on this dead earth. But what of the weak ones God has not called home yet? How dare I quesiton God's wisdom in allowing them to suffer so?
How dare I deny one the opportunity to learn how to allow God into the midst his or her suffering? To wrestle with God for him or herself in the why of his or her suffering? And learning more about Him and His character in the process?
Instead of taking the life as a distorted act of mercy of one weak and suffering, is it not better to extend a hand of God's version of mercy, love, inclusion, medical treatment, tenderloving care, compassion, and encouragement to make his or her life better? To show them the love of God? Whether the person is cognitively aware of my mercy or not?
37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry
and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and
show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see
you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least
of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'
Matthew 25: 37-40
