Mercy eyes.
Have you ever viewed a person or a situation from one perspective -YOUR perspective, only to later discover that your point of view may have been a little off from the full picture?
Yeah same.
Something I always try to remember is that God sees the full picture, while we only see a fragment. Recently, I struggled to remember that truth and instead choose to go with the whole “actions speak louder than words” viewpoint instead. While this is true in most cases, it’s not the complete truth. It’s not the full picture. There are times when the truth isn’t limited to what we know or how we feel.
As I found myself secretly offended at what others were or weren’t doing, I measured their intentions with my own limited thinking. If ya’ll don’t know, I am a complete tattletale to God. So if I feel wronged, I take it to God and express to Him those feelings. It usually starts with, “Lord I feel some type of way. Is it me? Because…” LOL! I someone, somewhere can relate. After a recent tattletale moment, God in His loving kindness responded to my concerns with His word. -I love that about God btw!
Song of Songs 5:12 (The Passion Translation) says:
“He sees everything with pure understanding. How beautiful his insights—without distortion. His eyes rest upon the fullness of the river of revelation, flowing so clean and pure.”
This one verse spoke to the eyes of my heart so that I could clearly see the truth in spite of my feelings. The truth doesn’t diminish our feelings. God understands every single thing about us. He does however, offer us clarity and feedback so that we can see from His perfect perspective. God sees everything that happens with perfect vision. According to scripture, nothing is hidden from Him. He is the Lord of all Who truly understands . He deciphers our deepest thoughts yet corrects them with mercy and grace.
That’s what He was doing for me in that moment; correcting me with grace. As I read Song of Songs 5:12, along with the commentary that seemed to come right on time; it prompted my heart to change my tattletale prayer. See, a lot of people think that prayer changes things.. and it does. But when you pray from a place of complete transparency; PRAYER CHANGES US too! God is so loving that He doesn’t chastise us for bringing our concerns, brokenness, hurts, and difficulties to Him. Instead, He invites us in to see from His view and in the midst He changes our hearts in the areas where change is needed.
For me, it wasn’t that I was wrong in how I felt. It was that though I was wronged, God reminded me of mercy. He reminded me of the grace and mercy that He continuously shows me when I wrong Him -whether intentionally or unintentionally. That heartfelt truth prompted me to add on to my prayer concerning the people who’d offended me. From, “Lord, I feel some type of way.” To “But give me mercy eyes, eyes of grace so that I can see them the way You do.”
Peace proceeded that simple prayer and I knew that the same way God had worked in my heart in that short moment, He was working in theirs. I was assured that He was even lovingly vindicating me toward them. It wasn’t about me being right or wrong but rather the posture of my heart aligning with His. If we’re His daughters, we should want to look like Him and love like Him. We certainly won’t get it right every time but intention is the starting point. When we look at the grace, love and mercy God has extended toward us (-wheww because I used to be a hot mess express!), we can extend that same grace, love and mercy to those around us. And especially those who offend us.
Hear me when I say by NO MEANS am I encouraging being taken advantage of, enduring abuse or staying in toxicity. Rely on God’s wisdom and discernment as to what situations this devotional may apply. In all cases we should view with the eyes of mercy and grace but certain situations may call for distance. Ask God, He knows, He sees, He understands.. PERFECTLY! Let’s be quick to ask God for His perspective, His advice and His heart so that we can grow spiritually. The instagram quotes are not truth to live by, sis. Let’s be woman who break out of the stereotype of always being right and step into the huge responsibility of seeing right. God right. Venting to God but also leaving room for His correction and clarity. Please trust that while we are aiming to be more like Jesus, God is taking care of our concerns in the meantime -offenses and all!
Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father, thank You for seeing every situation with perfect vision. Thank You for properly assessing our thoughts, words and actions. For understanding women, Your daughters. You know our every hurt, offense and difficulty and You care. Help us to run to You with EVERYTHING that is on our mind and heart (and Lord, we’re women so we know that a lot!) But we trust You. Today, give us mercy eyes, eyes of grace, eyes of love -even towards those who offend us. Let us leave the defending to You. Change us where change is needed so that You will be glorified.
In Jesus’s name, Amen.
