“Deal with Thy servant according to Thy mercy” (Psalm 119:124).

George is a state trooper and assigned to a very busy stretch of interstate highway. Every day thousands of cars pass back and forth through his territory. One day Barbie was fifteen minutes late for an appointment downtown. George clocked her traveling 78 mph in a 60 mile an hour speed zone. Quickly pulling into the driving lane, George activated his emergency flashing lights and siren. Barbie had the radio so loud that she did not even hear the siren until a moment or two later. Once stopped, George radioed her license plate into headquarters and declared that he had a “10-19 just passed I-400 mile marker 27.” Stepping out of his squad car, he put his hat on and walked up toward Barbie’s car. After a few moments of reviewing her registration and license, he looked at the young lady who was shaking and in tears. He said to her, “Are you all right, ma’am? You’re shaking. Have you ever been stopped by a police officer before?” Collecting herself Barbie replied, “No sir. Never.” The trooper, who was old enough to be her dad, spoke with her in a very stern voice. “You realize that I could arrest you for going so fast, young lady.” Then he smiled and said, “But I’m not going to. I am the recipient of mercy, and today, young lady, you are going to be the recipient of mercy. Mercy is the withholding of what you really do deserve. Now slow down and enjoy my mercy. If I catch you going too fast tomorrow, my mercy may have run out! Have a good day!” and with that he walked back to his squad car thanking the Lord for the mercy that he had received from God’s own good Hand. Barbie didn’t disregard the trooper’s warning. He would spot her car again, and it was often two or three mph under the speed limit. Mercy was effective.

For today: I rejoice in God’s good mercy. It has changed my life.