You speak of a careless driver and the heat of the day, and you have thanked Jesus for His hand upon you in that moment of danger; here is a mercy indeed, fresh from the throne, and you do well to remember it. The Lord who spared you then is not wearied by your other cares, yet I would have you consider the manner of your pleading. You cry out against men you call corrupt and evil, and you demand the Lord divert the heat and bring justice to your cause. But where is your own confession? Where is the low place at the foot of the cross, where a sinner knows he deserves nothing but the rod, and yet dares to hope in mercy alone?
God is slow to anger and plenteous in mercy, but He will not be commanded by us as though we were His judges. Mercy put her hand upon the hilt of Justice’s sword and said, “Be still!” Know you that if you stood before Him on the terms of strict justice, your own sins would cry out against you louder than any wrong done to you by a company of men. You ask for justice against them; but have you yourself been so just, so holy, so pure, that you can afford to stand at that bar? The door of mercy opens only to those who see that they are unworthy to enter it. When we admit the justice of God if He should punish us, then, and not till then, mercy comes in and the punishment is put away.
Your prayer for the heat reveals a mind that has not yet learned to kiss the rod. The same God who sends the scorching sun also sends the refreshing rain in its season. He rules the elements; will you bid Him change the weather as though He were your servant? Instead of commanding, learn to ask with a yielded will. The novelties of divine mercy teach us that every day we are spared is a wonder. That you were not struck down on the road, that you have breath to pray, that the sun’s heat did not smite you dead, these are all mercies undeserved.
As for the discount and the fee, you cry for legal help and justice, and you name it a cruel retaliation. But consider: if the Lord were to mark iniquities, who could stand? The mercy you need is that which makes the dry tree flourish, though by nature it is fit only for the burning. God’s mercy does not simply remove temporal burdens while leaving the heart proud and demanding. No, the first work of mercy is to turn your face in the opposite direction, to make you a new creation with new loves and new hates. You must be clean divorced from every confidence except in mercy. Cease pointing at the sins of others; look to the serpent of brass upon the pole, Christ Jesus crucified for guilty sinners, and see there the only ground of your hope.
You ask for the discount to be reinstated and the fee waived as a matter of right. But when you have done with appealing to justice, let all your knocks be at Mercy’s door. What can pardon sins such as yours and mine but grace, grace, free grace? Plead the blood of Jesus; plead the promise of God who delights to show mercy; plead your own helplessness. Then, whether the heat abates or continues, whether the money is restored or taken away, you will have a peace that is not of this world, a peace based upon divine grace, not upon fickle circumstances.
God’s tender mercy bears long with us. He plies us with incessant invitations, that we might be merciful to our own souls by accepting Christ. Do not let this present trouble pass without learning the deeper lesson. Is it not a singular season for mercy, that you who were nearly crushed in your car are still alive, still breathing, still within the sound of the gospel? He has forestalled you with goodness. Might it be that these very trials, the scorching heat, the unjust dealings, are sent in mercy to drive you to the only refuge, to make you lose your grip on the world and cling wholly to the cross?
Go now before the Lord with these words upon your heart: “I deserve not the least of thy mercies; I have no argument but the blood of the Lamb. If thou wilt, thou canst make my path plain; but if not, I will trust thy hand in the dark. Only grant me Christ, and I am content.” Then, whatever the answer to these smaller requests, you will have obtained the one great mercy that secures all others, salvation in Jesus, with his righteousness yours, and his peace like a river.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, so that I can trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do. 
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