The Mercy Seat
Posted by Dion Todd August 9th, 2024 1,319 Views 28 Comments
Then his lord called him in and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Shouldn't you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, even as I had mercy on you?' His lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors until he should pay all that was due to him. So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you don't each forgive your brother from your hearts for his misdeeds. Matthew 18:32–35 WEB.
Mercy is compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone within one's power to punish or harm. It is not punishing them, even though they deserve it, even when they have really earned it, and you now have the power to make them pay for it. It is turning the other cheek when you would like to slap theirs.
Someone once hurt me badly, and I had to forgive them every day for a few years. Anytime the incident came to mind, I prayed and forgave them again. Then one day, it no longer bothered me, and I no longer thought about it. It took a long time. Each time they came to mind, I would say, "Father, I forgive them for what they did." Eventually, it became real, and I no longer comforted myself by thinking of their demise as Esau did with Jacob (Genesis 27:42).
Sitting right on top of the Ark of the Covenant was the mercy seat (Exodus 25:21). That is where God spoke from. Mercy is a big thing to the Lord; throughout the Bible, you read about it. The Lord promises us that if we show mercy, we will be shown mercy (Matthew 5:7). It is an incredible promise, and it allows us to choose what will happen to us in the future. So do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Forgiveness does not make you a doormat, and repeat offenders must be dealt with peacefully. Who we allow to be a part of our lives is a choice we make, and being invited into our home is a privilege that can be taken away.
Some people belong on this side of our door, while others should be outside with it locked. Forgiveness does not mean that you are weak. It's a conscious, intelligent choice to recognize that even though someone deserves punishment, so do we.
God Almighty, who created the universe, is all-powerful. He holds our very life in His hands and can take it away instantly. He shows us mercy by forgiving us of our mistakes, but He said that we must forgive others or not be forgiven. So keep a clean slate. If you get the chance today to let someone off the hook, gladly do so. For the Lord will reward you by letting you off yours.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I forgive those who have wronged me. I set them free from their debt. I choose to show them mercy today because You told us to. Please forgive me of my sins and set me free from the chains that bind me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Note: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) ~ If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network. If you are interested in joining the prayer team, here is how to get started Prayer Partners.
Join the discussion! Please sign in to comment, like, and share.
Shara Abel commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Mercy Seat
1 month ago
Definitely saving this one! Thank you Pastor!
Valeri Frank commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Mercy Seat
1 month ago
Amen to today's devotional... 🙏🏼 I've been in a situation for years where someone hurt not just me, but my whole family. They are family. I've been struggling to forgive them. But, today Jesus opened my eyes with this devotional Pastor Dion... Thank you for sharing this... I've been carrying around this burden for many years and today I've just now been able to release it to our Father in heaven. After all, who am I to judge them? I feel 10 pounds lighter. I'm not going to have to struggle to avoid them during family gatherings. I've been telling myself that I forgave them, but deep down I really hadn't. Until today. What a relief I feel. Thank you Jesus for showing me the truth... 🙏🏼
Sherry Mccosh commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Mercy Seat
1 month ago
Heavenly Father, I forgive those who have wronged me. I set them free from their debt. I choose to show them mercy today because You told us to. Please forgive me of my sins and set me free from the chains that bind me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!Thank you Father, for helping me to forgive other when they have wronged me and never apologized. I know that if I do not forgive others then I will not be forgiven. Thank you for showing me this and always forgiving me!!
Dan Remley commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Mercy Seat
1 month ago
I just want to say to my RHM family. I've been a small part of this since 2018. I love you all and I know how blessed I am to have you. Pastor Dion and Sylvia. Thank you so much for your love and devotionals.This has been a real positive experience.
Dion Todd
1 month ago
Thank you for being a part of RHM, Dan. The Lord is building a wonderful family here 😀
Dan Remley
1 month ago
Thank you Pastor Dion. The Lord is building a wonderful family. I agree. It's such a blessing ❤️
Liesel aka lisa Wardle commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Mercy Seat
1 month ago
Amen and Amen!!! Oh to be set free from all bitterness and anger that eats away from us like cancer, so hard for us, and yet how can we ask to be forgiven if we cannot forgive one another!! The forgetting is another story, which needs to be dealt with daily, till finally forgotten, and this only because of HIS grace!!🙏
Debi Burton commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Mercy Seat
1 month ago
I remember when i was young, my parents would tell me to forgive one another so my heart and mind would be free. I never really understood but was always in my head.
In 2000, I was reading my victim statement in the court to the guy that murdered my son and I told him that I FORGIVE YOU!
It set me free from anger and bitterness.
Thank you Jehovah for the ability to be free to move on and function with my daily life……..🤟🏻
Liesel aka lisa Wardle
1 month ago
Oh Debi, what a testimony, GOD bless and protect you and all of your loved ones!!! (Numbers 6:24-26) 🙏❤️🤗
Yvette York commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Mercy Seat
1 month ago
AMEN Heavenly Father Please Help Me To Forgive Like You Forgave Me For All Of My Sins.Good Morning Everyone 😀
Dan Remley commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Mercy Seat
1 month ago
Lord please give me mercy and help me be strong and forgiving enough to forgive others. Help me carry love in my heart. Help me be the kind of man that you would want me to be. Amen ❤️
Wanda Pennington commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Mercy Seat
1 month ago
Heavenly Father, I forgive those who have wronged me. I set them free from their debt. I choose to show them mercy today because You told us to. Please forgive me of my sins and set me free from the chains that bind me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen I needed this message today. For three weeks I've been in court with my neighbor fighting property lines. I'm so tired, but today I claim to be done and forgive, in Jesus Name I ask and pray.
Scott Riegelmann commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Mercy Seat
1 month ago
Amen thank you for your mercy Lord
Susan Quinn commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Mercy Seat
1 month ago
Amen.
Lord, I've been struggling with forgiving a few that have wronged me and those that I love for a very, very long time. I no longer desire for them to feel the same pain and am trying to push it out of my mind. I've not seen or spoken to one for nearly 40 years and I'm afraid to open the lines of communication with them for the purpose of forgiving them. I am afraid I will be opening myself up to further harm. Praying to you Lord for protection and guidance.
Amen.
Debi Burton commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Mercy Seat
1 month ago
Heavenly Father, I forgive those who have wronged me. I set them free from their debt. I choose to show them mercy today because You told us to. Please forgive me of my sins and set me free from the chains that bind me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!❤️🤟🏻
Laura Clark commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Mercy Seat
1 month ago
Very powerful message about forgiveness. AMEN!
We all need it and we all need to give it as well.
Lynn Brown commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Mercy Seat
1 month ago
Yes Lord, help me to forgive promptly and fully. Amen!
Raju Williams commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Mercy Seat
1 month ago
Praise the Lord. Amen.🙏🙏
Kevin J. Eck commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Mercy Seat
1 month ago
Father, Thank you for showing me Mercy and forgiving my sins! Give me the strength and the Wisdom to forgive others. In the of name Jesus, Amen!
