Mercy of God - Joanna

"The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of 100,000 dollars. He couldn't pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market. The poor wretch threw himself at the king's feet and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.' Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing his debt. The servant was no sooner out of the room when he came upon one of his servants who owed him ten dollars. He seized him by the collar and demanded, 'Pay up. Now!' The poor wretch threw himself down and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.' But he wouldn't do it. He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid off. When the other servants saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king. The king summoned the man and said, 'You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged for mercy. Shouldn't you be compelled to do the same to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?' The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid his entire debt. And that's exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn't forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy."

The Message, Matthew 18:23-25, Eugene H. Peterson
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And God was furious-- a wildfire anger; he couldn't stand to even look at his people. He turned them over to the heathen so that the people who hated them ruled them. Their enemies made life hard for them; they were tyrannized under that rule. Over and over God rescued them, but they never learned--until finally their sins destroyed them. Still, when God saw the trouble they were in and heard their cries for help, he remembered his covenant with them, and, immense with love, took them by the hand. He poured out his mercy on them while their captors looked on amazed.

The Message, Psalm 106:40-46, 2003, Eugene H. Peterson