1 August | Teens
«Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Now I will bring back the captives of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for My holy name.» Ezekiel 39:25
Have you ever heard of Judge Frank Caprio? He became famous for a very special reason: his enormous capacity to be merciful. Even though he is a judge and encounters people who have made mistakes, he always tries to understand their situation and often decides with compassion and mercy. He even goes so far as to help his defendants pay their fines! This is incredible, because it shows that even in a court of law, where the rules are strict, there is still room for kindness and understanding, that is, mercy.
Compared to Judge Frank, today’s text shows us how much more amazing God is with His mercy. Even after the people had done many wrong things, being disobedient and unfaithful, God promised that He would help them and that He would have compassion on them. It is as if, after a time of punishment, God gives everyone a hug and says, “Let us try again.” This teaches us that God does not stay “angry” forever and always gives us new chances to improve.
God’s mercy is one of His most comforting qualities. He understands our weaknesses and is always willing to give us a second, third, fourth, or multiple chances, no matter how many times we fail. God does not give up on us, and just like the judge at the beginning of our devotional, He also paid the price of our fines!
Take Action
Watch some videos of Judge Frank Caprio on social media and choose the one that touches your heart the most. Then show this video to your family or friends, sharing how, if one human being can be so merciful, God, in His greatness, is infinitely more!