IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

God is Merciful

Date: Mar. 21, 2023

Passage

Luke 6:27-36 (ESV)

27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 6:36

Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Is your image of God angry and vengeful to the wicked? There is a sweet feeling of justice when bad things happen to those who do evil, especially when they do evil to us or our loved ones. But Jesus says that that is not how God works. God is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. God’s mercy is offensive to our sensibilities. However, this image of God needs to sink into our hearts deeply.

God is merciful, even to the wicked.

Loving our enemies does not mean enabling their wicked behavior, but in love, we shine light on the wickedness and extend mercy. Mercy comes from our father God and works to transform even the worst sinner into a person who experiences the love and mercy of God on their lives. God's superpower over all evil is love and mercy, and he empowers us to live by his example.

Prayer: Prayer: Lord, thank you for your mercy to me. Help me to love, even my enemies, and be merciful as you are merciful.

One Word: One Word: Mercy

Daily Bread

Hezekiah Restored the Temple

2 Chronicles 29:1-19

Key Verse: 29:18

Then they went in to Hezekiah the king and said, “We have cleansed all the house of the LORD, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the table for the showbread and all its utensils.

Read More

Intro Daily