By Mercy and Truth-Devotions with Dienece

Hello! It's almost Christmas.

Okay, so technically Christmas is still 24 days away. That's close enough for me. :) I'm taking part in a syncroblog again with other Christian authors. Later this month (about the same time I release my novelette), I'll be back to add some links for other blogs about Christmas. In the meantime, here is my contribution.

Have a blessed Christmas,

Dienece

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I was reading Proverbs. Granted, that's not the normal book of the Bible to bring thoughts of Christmas to mind, but it did for me one day.

Come with me, and I'll show you.

By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil. Proverbs 16:6

I read this verse and wondered, "Why did God choose to pair mercy with truth instead of grace or love as the cure to sin? What does mercy and truth even look like together? Could I think of a Biblical example?"

The verse in the New Testament which talks about speaking the truth in love popped into my head. (Eph. 4:15) But that's love. Not mercy.

Why did God say mercy?

Mercy is when you have the right to punish someone but you don't.

That didn't gel in my head with truth until I realized something. Truth is not justice. I had the two terms confused.

So, what is truth?

God is truth.

God is absolute, indesputable, and unchanging. He is eternal. He is truth. (John 14:6) To know truth, you must get to know God. And trust me, when you do, you'll develop a fear of the Lord like our Bible verse also mentions.

Could I think of a Biblical example of God putting mercy and truth together?

The following verses came to mind:

• "The wages of sin is death." Romans 6:23 (That's truth.)

• "The Lord is... not willing that any should perish." 2 Peter 3:9 (That's mercy.)

But in my heart, a disquiet remained. As if God was whispering, "You haven't found it yet." So I kept thinking.

And then I knew it. Knew the perfect example of mercy and truth saving us from our sin.

Christ had the right to judge the world, but instead He humbled himself, took on our frail frame, and lived among us. Why? So He could save us. (John 1:14, Phil. 2:7-8)

Christ is truth and mercy coming together to save us.

So, if you are worried this Christmas about the dark path someone is treading, remember it takes mercy, truth, and the fear of the Lord to steer that one back to the Light.

Find the moments to show mercy and find the truths that must be shared. And above all, fear the Lord who hath power over you both.

Have a wonderful, blessed Christmas.

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As promised, if you wanted to read more blogs about Christmas written by Christians, here are the links. I had a read, and they were a blessing.

Born to Die by Steph Penny ( https://stephpenny.com.au/born-to-die )

Let's Celebrate by Susan Barnes (https://www.susanbarneswriter.com/lets-celebrate/)

An Unexpected Rescue by Tamika Spaulding (https://www.hisherd.com/our-stories/an-unexpected-rescue)

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