Have you ever had to call someone who was supposed to meet you and they said, "Oh, I totally forgot about it"?

Have you ever had someone not follow through on something that they said they would do for you?

Have your ever done business with someone who left out a few important details?

These kinds of things happen to us all the time. I have these things happen to me and I put them in my "Mercy Bank."

When I think about it, every time I give mercy to someone, I’m making a deposit in my "Mercy Bank." The next time I don’t do something perfect or proper, I’m more likely to receive mercy myself, especially if it’s someone to whom I’ve previously shown mercy. You see, if the truth were known, we have all probably done the above mentioned irritating things to others. We should be merciful because of our misdeeds, but instead, when we are on the receiving side of other people’s mistakes, we often find ourselves indignant. Shouldn't we say, "I forgive you, it's okay! You see, I need all the mercy I can get because I sometimes do the same thing. So I’ll just share some of the mercy I need with you."

Have you made a lot of deposits?

The Bible tells us to be merciful. "Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Execute true justice, Show mercy and compassion Everyone to his brother'" (Zechariah 7:9 NKJV).

Paul reminds us about his own need for mercy! "However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life" (1 Timothy 1:16).

The Bible says that the Lord’s mercies are new every morning; shouldn't our mercies be new and fresh each day? "This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the LORD'S mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:21-23).

So how is your "Mercy Bank?"

Have you made a lot of deposits by showing people mercy, or is your account about empty.

"Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." (Luke 6:37-38)

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Mike is a pastor and writer for a number of online publications.

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