Execute Justice and Love Mercy

He has declared to you, O man, what is good; And what does Jehovah require of you, But that you would execute justice and love mercy and walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

These days as I have been considering how to take care of an erring brother in his official service in financial mismanagement, I cannot simply overlook the matter, nor can I take strict action legally. I have no choice but to bring the matter before the Lord in prayer as to how to handle this properly. After a long pray-and-wait, in fellowship with my brother who coordinates with me in overseeing the official matter, I brought it to fellowship with another senior and more mature brother. Even as I brought it for fellowship, I look to the Lord that my personal subjective feeling should not override the decision to be taken. Nor should I take side in presenting the matter, rather I should present the fact as it is and let the Lord speak through the brother's fellowship.

In the fellowship, I presented the matter with as many facts and detail as I could present. Then, we decided that the offender still have to righteously pay back all the misappropriated fund he owed to the office. I consulted with our Chartered Accountant on how to record it in our account book. A few days later, the matter was taken up in the board meeting of the company where I presented to the board the action to be taken and further official consideration if any. I also presented the need to take care of the brother in question as he would be completely relieved from his official assignment once his final pending work is submitted. Therefore, on the ground of humanity, we all agreed to pay him three months' salary to take care of his need so that he could move on in life. This decision, I can testify, is truly the Lord's. On the one hand, there is an execution of justice by allowing the offender to pay up for all the misappropriated fund and relieve him from all official duty, yet on the other hand, showing him much grace and mercy by giving him a three-month salary and still allowing him to pay back his dues at his own time and at his own capacity. Of course, this comes with a condition that he cooperates in our official decision that he also returns back all the office items in due time. 

"But that you would execute justice and love mercy and walk humbly with your God." In fact, the Lord spoke to me this verse directly as the decision was taken; the Lord confirmed the decision of the brothers in my time with the Lord. Praise the Lord!

Later in the night when I conveyed the decision made to the brother, he was filled with peace and joy. He narrated to me all the pains and sufferings he went through and how the Lord still loves and shows mercy to him. He told me that he confided in me as a brother and that he would cooperate in all official decisions taken. Now that the matter concerning him was officially cleared, he expressed his gratitude. The extra and special grace offered monetary to him is the Lord's shepherding care for him and his family in the midst of his financial turmoil. Besides, he felt very happy that he could fellowship with me as his brother in the Lord though he felt that many brothers have left and deserted him, including his own so-called "spiritual father." My innate reply was, "Brother, we are brothers in the Lord." I told him that he is free to call me any time for fellowship and prayer. He was so relieved and we prayed together thanking the Lord for his mercy and grace and looking to the Lord to be faithful in our responsibility. He himself decided that he would call me regularly for fellowship and prayer.

As the Lord burdened and led me, I also transferred an offering to him that was channeled through me. In all these, I could experience the sovereignty of the Lord and personally experienced and enjoyed the Lord's rhema word, "execute justice and love mercy." 

Praise the God of justice and the God of mercy! I need both; in dealing with myself and also with others - execute justice and love mercy.