In 2008, the world experienced one of the most devastating financial crises created by the USA’s mortgage loan crisis.

The subprime mortgage crisis occurred when the housing market collapsed and homeowners defaulted on their loans.

When people, especially those who ordinarily could not afford mortgages we given mortgages during favourable economic conditions but failed to pay due to market crashes and adverse economic conditions, the crisis occurred, and people lost their homes.

Some of the major banks that offered sub-prime mortgage loans like Leeman Brothers closed down.

To avert a more severe crisis, most of the banks were bailed out by the USA government.

CEOs and Bank Presidents sheepishly appeared before congress asking for financial mercy and debt relief.

We all stood in shock because once these bankers were in financial compliance with their obligations, and were given bailouts, they who have received the government help, refused to help those who’s mortgages were in arrears with the same banks.

When those who were brought low, get up, they eventually have to face the test of how they will handle power.

This is the greatest test of anyone’s character, we saw it play out on international news as begging bankers on the verge of collapse, transform in a matter of days,  back into arrogant bankers after receiving bailouts.

Millions of people who have always lived in homes and paid their mortgages on time, were evicted to the streets leaving them homeless.

And these bankers turned their backs on them and flew to the next board-meeting in their private jets without the attempt to help singles mothers and working fathers who only wanted them to forgive as they had been forgiven, to help, as they had been help.

The banks failed the test of forgiving.

No doubt many of us have failed that test too.

This is the test of being in control, on top, in power.

When we are down and out, we plead with God to forgive us and restore us, but when we are back on our feet, we refuse to forgive others.

If we are to be forgiven, then we must be prepared to give forgiveness to others.

If you can admit that you need forgiveness, then why don’t you give forgiveness?

Why do the forgiven fail to be forgiving?

An opportunity to forgive another is not so much a task of how you handle power but how you handle mercy.

Often those who have to forgive always feel like they are in power, that they are superior to those they have to forgive.

This feeling of superiority can be intoxicating.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean allowing abuse to continue, this will be foolish and dangerous.

It means understanding that no one is perfect and once in a while we will err and just as we expect to be forgiven everyday for our mistakes, we must give forgiveness to others everyday.

It is better to err on the side of mercy, than become consumed with the arrogance of self-rightiousness and fail to offer the benefit of grace that we have also received.

Those who practice foreignness regularly, often receive forgiveness regularly as well.

God’s is full of mercy. His mercies are so plenty that’s why Jeremiah, one of his Prophets said, His mercies are new every morning [Lamentations 3:23]

The reason His mercies are new every morning is that yesterday’s mercies removed all records of yesterday’s mistakes, so He is ready to start fresh again with us today.

God doesn’t hold our mistakes over heads like people do.

If God kept scores or tried to settle old scores with us, we would all be in serious trouble.

That doesn’t mean God wants us to live irresponsible lives because we know He will forgive us.

He wants us to grow, change and repent.

His mercy is the defence attorney that releases us from the prosecuting attorney.

When justice said they deserve to die, His mercies pleaded our case.

And this is why we are still here.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. [Matthew 5:7]