Do you know the difference between "grace" and "mercy?"

Grace is God giving us what we don't deserve, while "mercy" is His not giving us what we do deserve.

Will Rogers once said that if we'd get as much government as we pay for, we'd be in far more trouble. So think twice before deciding whether you're getting what's coming to you. Things might not improve.

The Bible doesn't have much to say about "deserving." Probably because it isn't built on such premises. There are actually only three times that the word or a derivative are used in the Bible.

The first is in Ezra 9:13 (KJV) “…God has punished us less than our iniquities deserve…” and if there ever was a truth, this is it.

The second place is in Job, as you might have expected. “…know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth…“ Next time you think you aren't getting a fair shake, consider Job and Jesus. Or Joseph's treatment by Photiphar's wife.

And the third is in Judges 9:16, with one named Jotham speaking to the people of Gideon; “Have you treated him with the honor he deserves for all he has accomplished?”

When we think about it, it's very good that God doesn't give us what we deserve. And it's also very good that His grace is ours, even though we don't deserve it.

The Lord has given us a good deal. Let's take it and be thankful.