Often, an outcry from children and teenagers has been made in regard to politics. The emotionally-based culture in which we live will take a camera into a classroom and ask the students what they think of a president, a war, or a law. Of course, children are designated as pure and innocent; but anybody with half a brain knows that children, in a situation like that, are simply parroting what teachers or their parents have told them. If a child is asked about Washington, he might just say, “Get rid of all the bad people.” What a grand suggestion! (However, only a few people would be left to make the decisions.)

Much evil in the world is committed under the guise of the excuse that it was not “my decision,” or it was “the leader’s choice,” or “I had no power to stop it from happening.” The fact is, we may not have the power to stop our leaders from doing wrong, but we certainly have the power to walk away or to verbally object. We can stand with those who are being hurt or simply stand for truth even if we stand alone.

Most of the people who seek money or earthly accolades are, in reality, looking for happiness.

We tend to beat ourselves up over our weaknesses, when, in fact, all God has to work with is sinners. The fact that I fail is not nearly as big a problem as if I do not try. The Bible says little about my being something spectacular, yet it says much about my faithfulness.

The fact that we fail is undeniable. The fact that we sometimes think selfishly and even evil is also true. Yet, God, in mercy, works with sinful men. We are but dust, and the Lord knows this. Before I get to the lesson, let me say that no one gets close to the Lord without the love for right and the passion for holiness.

Decisions should be made very slowly, thoughtfully, and while seeking counsel.

Matthew 7:1 “Judge not, that ye be not judged.”vs. 2 “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”Romans 14:4 “Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.”

Yesterday, I posted part one to this thought about having mercy on those who messed up. Today, I will continue the thought with more Bible to encourage us to have mercy and to forgive.

Most of us go through life with a hope for justice, fair treatment, and a decent chance for a happy life. As we age, we come to understand that boyfriends and girlfriends hurt us, referees are crooked, and life, in general, can be painful. Adulthood arrives on the scene with an even more painful sting. Our experience with injustice and corrupt people begins perhaps on the playground, but it certainly finds us again before we get too old. The question is, "How do we respond."

Much of the wrong in the world has a very clear “Why?” It is the devil.  Most people do not talk about God; they just beat around the bush.  A small group may speak of Him, but very few will address evil and the source of evil, Satan.  The same is true of people who will speak of Heaven compared to the number who will converse about Hell.  It is just more difficult to deal with evil.  

We hold a Bible in our hands with an enormous section called “The Law,” and we know Jesus said, “If you love me keep my commandments,” yet somehow, we have a perspective on Christianity that says to do, “whatever you think right.”

While reading through the book of Judges, I feel as though I am reading a story of churches in America today. Judges 17:6 “In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”

A few years ago, our daughter and her family were visiting from out of state.  One of her children was getting so sick she chose to make an emergency room visit.  After calling a friend who works there, we were met with not only medical help but a friend.  We chatted for a while, then the nurse said something very important, "I am not here to be a friend but to get him well."  Then she pulled out two syringes and thrust the needles into the chubby little thighs bringing about extra noise to the emergency room, but also bringing help to the little one.