When a wildfire raged through the beautiful canyons near Colorado
Springs, Colorado, it destroyed the habitat of all kinds of wildlife and
hundreds of homes. People across the nation cried out to God, pleading with Him
to send rain to douse the flames, put an end to the destruction, and give
firefighters relief. Some people’s prayers had an interesting condition
attached to them. They asked God to show mercy and send rain without lightning,
which they feared would start even more fires.
This reminds me of how we live in tension between things that save us
and kill us. With fire, we cook our food and keep warm, but in it we can be
consumed. With water, we keep our bodies hydrated and our planet cooled, but in
it we also can drown. Too much or too little of either is life-threatening.
We see the same principle at work spiritually. To thrive, civilizations
need the seemingly opposite qualities of mercy and justice (Zech. 7:9). Jesus
scolded the Pharisees for being sticklers about the law but neglecting these
“weightier matters” (Matt. 23:23).
We may lean toward justice or mercy, but Jesus keeps them in perfect
balance (Isa. 16:5; 42:1-4). His death satisfies God’s need for justice and our
need for mercy.
God’s justice and mercy met at the cross. (RBC)
