Category: Lessons from the Wise Guy
Mercy and truth do not let them leave you. Bind them upon your neck; write them upon the tablet of your heart. And find favor and good understanding in the eyes of God and man. (Proverbs 3:3-4)
Two indispensable things that accompany the wise man wherever he goes are mercy and truth. The precise meanings of the Hebrew terms are not easily discovered. They are variously translated 'lovingkindness' or 'steadfast love' and 'faithfulness', respectively.
The New Testament speaks of a love that covers a multitude of sins, also of forgiving others in proportion to how much the Father has forgiven us. These statements, I believe, are along the same lines as Solomon's mention of mercy. A major part of loving another person is maintaining our affection for him or her when we have been let down. This kind of forgiving love seems to come naturally for young children who go from squabbling to embracing in the blink of an eye. However, such rapid-repair abilities diminish as a person grows older. It takes longer and requires much more effort to "get over it," no matter what it is.
The second attribute, whether translated 'truth' or 'faithfulness', likewise does not come easily. Remaining true to one's word is an archaic ideal in the minds of many. Statistically speaking, we know that over 50% of the men and women who make wedding vows are lying. For the sake of cute tradition, they say, "till death do us part," but what they really mean is, "till do us part." Every time we sign a credit card slip, we are re-affirming that men are generally untrustworthy. Like the store sign said, "In God we trust, all others pay cash."
Jesus taught us to say what we mean and mean what we say. If we say 'yes' then we ought to really mean it. If not, then say 'no'. Commitments are easily made and easily broken. Rare indeed is the person who keeps his word when it will cost him something he desires.
Those who manifest a generous mercy and a fierce loyalty toward others find themselves on the receiving end of kind words and deeds, not only from other men, but also from God Himself.