05 21 08 MERCY AND TRUTH
“Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart…”
(Proverbs 3:3 NKJV)

MERCY AND TRUTH (Checed, 'emeth): the Hebrew words combine to reflect the meaning of a faithful covenant love. Binding them around the neck and writing them on the heart reflects a lifestyle of the disciple and his very nature. It speaks faithfulness, loyalty, trustworthiness, reliability, and stability. These are words we do not hear much in the world today, but must be reflective in character and actions of a Christian.

God’s covenant with His people was one that trusted, sealed, and unwavering. Christ’s sacrifice for us is a once-for-all sacrifice. It’s binding and unchanging. As we live in a world where we face minute-by-minute challenges to our faith and to our Christian character, MERCY AND TRUTH must prevail. Faithfulness to Christ and to one another must be evident in our daily speech and actions. We must be loyal to our promises and the commitments we make. Our word must be trusted. We need to be reliable as to where we say we’ll be and do what we say we will do. We must have a stable character as to reflect the strength and security our Savior provides. All this represents Christ and our faith in Him: a faithful covenant of love grounded in MERCY AND TRUTH.

Here’s our challenge: are we living these values on the job, in our commitments to the church and most importantly within our home (toward our spouse and children)? Before my wife calls me out, let me say how much I need to be aware of these words from Solomon!

We must be careful. We learn so much in our study and get so involved in ministry, we lose track of the relationships. As my friends in New Orleans would remind me, it’s not about the work, it’s about the people! Jesus loved on people. He didn’t do ministry! Throughout HIStory, God has placed an emphasis upon relationship; between Him and His people. His relationship with us is a faithful covenantal love. How would friends, family and fellow believers describe our relationship with them? Would MERCY AND TRUTH be in the description?