Mercy and Forgiveness

2 Samuel 14:14
For we will surely die and become like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. Yet God does not take away a life; but He devises means, so that His banished ones are not expelled from Him.

In David's mourning for his son Amnon, he lost sight of the forgiveness and mercy of God. No amount of punishment toward Absalom would bring back Amnon and anger only promoted the avenger of blood to spill more blood (2 Samuel 14:11). Yet in remembering the Lord we are reminded that He is patient, forgiving and merciful toward sinners, of whom David was king (2 Samuel 12:13). As God was merciful and forgiving toward David in his grievous sin with Bathsheba and against Uriah, so God called David to be toward Absalom and his vengeance toward Amnon. (How ironic that when weighed, David's sin is far greater than Absalom's yet David cannot respond to this reality.)
Remembering the Lord and His great mercy toward us gives us the self control and strength to extend the same to others. Focusing on the cross of Christ and the great price He paid to redeem His banished ones gives us the ability to put away our anger and devise means to to call our offenders home as well.

Father - help me focus on the cross of Christ and be always mindful of Your mercy and forgiveness. Keep my sin and Your mercy always in mind. Make me a man of mercy and give me the strength to forgive and reconcile others as You have done for me. Amen.