Choosing Mercy: Transforming Brokenness into Blessing
Summary
Today, we gathered in the presence of God, seeking comfort, healing, and direction. We began by acknowledging our need for God’s mercy and the reality that our hearts are often broken—by friends, by family, by life’s circumstances. Yet, we are reminded that when we bring our brokenness to Jesus, he is the one who puts our hearts back together. Like a skilled physician, he restores us, not just for our own sake, but so that we might live with joy and love, and become a blessing to others.
We reflected on the story of Joseph, a man deeply wronged by his own brothers, who faced the battle between the desire for justice and the call to mercy. Joseph’s journey was not just about surviving betrayal, but about allowing God to transform his pain into a source of blessing for others. Even in the darkest places—Potiphar’s house, prison—Joseph chose to serve, to bless, and to walk closely with God. He did not let bitterness immobilize him, but instead, he allowed God’s favor to work through him, blessing those around him and ultimately bringing reconciliation to his family.
This path is not easy. Each of us knows the struggle between the “two wolves” within: one of mercy, kindness, and love; the other of bitterness, revenge, and fear. The one we feed is the one that grows. We cannot control whether others will reconcile with us, but we can choose to be a blessing where we are planted. We can ask God for the grace to serve, to forgive, and to let go of the negative narratives that threaten to define us.
Jesus himself modeled this way of mercy. On the night he was betrayed, he washed his disciples’ feet, teaching that true greatness is found in humble service. Even on the cross, he chose mercy over justice, forgiving those who wronged him. This is the heart of God: mercy that triumphs over judgment, love that welcomes us home, and grace that transforms our pain into blessing. As we walk this path, we are invited to trust that God is working all things together for good, shaping us into people of joy, hope, and love.
Key Takeaways
- Mercy Triumphs Over Justice
In the story of Joseph, we see the deep struggle between the desire for justice and the call to mercy. Joseph’s ability to forgive his brothers and seek reconciliation, even after profound betrayal, reveals that mercy is a higher calling than revenge. God’s heart is for mercy to win, and when we allow it, mercy can transform even the most broken relationships. [34:12]
- Serving in Brokenness Brings Blessing
Joseph did not let his pain or betrayal immobilize him. Instead, he chose to serve faithfully wherever he was placed, whether in Potiphar’s house or in prison. When we serve others in our brokenness, God’s favor rests on us, and we become a blessing to those around us, even as we ourselves are healed. [35:44]
- The Battle of the Two Wolves
Each of us faces an internal battle between the “good wolf” of kindness, love, and mercy, and the “bad wolf” of bitterness, fear, and revenge. The outcome depends on which one we feed through our daily choices and attitudes. By choosing to feed the good wolf—through acts of service, forgiveness, and humility—we allow God’s character to grow in us. [38:14]
- We Can Only Control Our Response
Reconciliation is not always within our power, but being a blessing is. Like Joseph, we may not be able to change others’ hearts, but we can choose to serve, to forgive, and to ask God for the grace to do what is right. This daily partnership with God transforms us and allows mercy to take root, regardless of our circumstances. [39:33]
- Christ’s Example: Humility and Mercy
Jesus, even in the face of betrayal and suffering, chose to serve and to forgive. His humility—washing his disciples’ feet and forgiving from the cross—shows us the way to true greatness. When we follow his example, we experience the joy and freedom that come from letting mercy, not bitterness, define our lives. [44:00]
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Mercy, Brokenness, and Becoming a Blessing
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### Bible Reading
Genesis 50:15-21 (ESV)
> When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died, ‘Say to Joseph, Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
John 13:12-17 (ESV)
> When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”
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### Observation Questions
1. In the story of Joseph, what was his response when his brothers feared he would seek revenge after their father died? (Genesis 50:15-21)
2. According to the sermon, what did Joseph do while he was in Potiphar’s house and in prison, even though he had been wronged? [35:44]
3. What act did Jesus perform for his disciples on the night he was betrayed, and what lesson did he teach through it? (John 13:12-17)
4. The sermon mentions a “battle between two wolves” inside each of us. What do these two wolves represent? [38:14]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Joseph say, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good”? What does this reveal about his understanding of God’s work in his suffering? (Genesis 50:20)
2. The sermon describes Joseph as someone who did not let bitterness immobilize him. What might have happened if Joseph had chosen bitterness instead of service? [35:44]
3. Jesus washed his disciples’ feet even though he knew he was about to be betrayed. What does this teach about the kind of mercy and humility Jesus calls his followers to show? (John 13:12-17)
4. The “two wolves” story suggests that our daily choices shape our character. How does this idea connect to the way Joseph and Jesus responded to betrayal and hardship? [38:14]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says, “We cannot control whether others will reconcile with us, but we can choose to be a blessing where we are planted.” Is there a situation in your life where you need to let go of trying to control someone else’s response and focus on being a blessing? What would that look like for you this week? [39:33]
2. Joseph served faithfully in places of pain and betrayal. Is there a place in your life right now where you feel wronged or overlooked? What is one practical way you could serve or bless someone in that place, even if it’s hard? [35:44]
3. The “two wolves” story asks, “Which one will you feed?” What are some habits or thoughts that feed bitterness or revenge in your life? What is one step you could take to “feed” mercy, kindness, or love instead? [38:14]
4. Jesus washed the feet of those who would betray and abandon him. Is there someone in your life who has hurt you, and what would it look like to serve or forgive them in a small, practical way? (John 13:12-17)
5. The sermon encourages us to “let go of the negative narratives that threaten to define us.” Are there any negative stories or labels you’ve been carrying about yourself or others? How can you invite God to rewrite those stories? [39:33]
6. When was the last time you experienced God’s mercy in a way that changed how you treated someone else? How did that experience shape your actions or attitude?
7. The sermon says, “Mercy triumphs over judgment.” Is there a relationship or situation where you are struggling to choose mercy over justice? What would it look like to take a step toward mercy this week? [34:12]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for God’s grace to serve, forgive, and be a blessing, even in places of brokenness. Ask for help to feed the “good wolf” and to trust that God is working all things together for good.
Devotional
Day 1: Mercy Triumphs Over Justice
There is a deep battle within every heart between the desire for justice and the call to mercy, but God’s way is to let mercy win, even when we have been deeply wronged. When Joseph faced his brothers who had betrayed him, he had every reason to seek revenge, yet he chose the harder path of forgiveness and reconciliation. This act was not a denial of the pain he endured, but a surrender to God’s greater purpose, trusting that what others meant for evil, God could use for good. Mercy, not revenge, is the heartbeat of God, and when we allow it to rule in our lives, we reflect His character and open the door to healing and restoration. [34:12]
Genesis 50:19-21 (ESV)
But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
Reflection: Who is someone you struggle to forgive, and what would it look like to let mercy, rather than justice or revenge, guide your next interaction with them?
Day 2: Serving in Brokenness
Even in the midst of betrayal and hardship, God calls us to be a blessing wherever we are planted, refusing to let bitterness immobilize us. Joseph, though wronged and enslaved, chose to serve faithfully in Potiphar’s house and later in prison, allowing God’s favor to rest on him and transform his circumstances. When we focus on serving others and meeting the needs in front of us, rather than dwelling on our pain, we invite God’s blessing and begin to see our own hearts healed. The humble acts of service, done in the face of adversity, are the very soil in which God grows His mercy and joy within us. [35:44]
Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Reflection: In what difficult place or relationship can you choose to serve today, trusting God to use your faithfulness for His good purposes?
Day 3: Feeding the Good Wolf
Within each of us is a daily battle between the impulses of kindness and bitterness, and the one that grows is the one we feed. Like the story of the two wolves, Joseph’s life shows that by choosing to focus on what is good, right, and true, and by seeking to be a blessing, we strengthen the spirit of Christ within us. This is not always easy—it requires intentionality, prayer, and a willingness to let go of negative narratives. As we train ourselves in humble acts of service and gratitude, we find that joy and mercy begin to take root, transforming not only our own hearts but the lives of those around us. [38:14]
Philippians 4:8-9 (ESV)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Reflection: What negative thought or narrative do you need to surrender to God today, and what specific “good wolf” action can you take to feed kindness and hope instead?
Day 4: Jesus’ Example of Humble Service
Jesus, even in the face of betrayal and suffering, chose to serve and forgive, showing us the path to true greatness and blessing. By washing His disciples’ feet and forgiving those who crucified Him, He demonstrated that humble service and mercy are at the core of God’s kingdom. When we follow His example—serving others, forgiving those who hurt us, and seeking to bring heaven to earth in small, daily ways—we are transformed and experience the joy and favor of God. This is not an easy path, but it is the way of Christ, and it leads to life and freedom for us and those we serve. [44:00]
John 13:14-17 (ESV)
If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
Reflection: Whose “feet” can you wash today—what is one humble, perhaps unnoticed act of service you can offer to someone in your life?
Day 5: Trusting God to Transform Our Pain
When we bring our hurts, betrayals, and negative experiences to God, trusting Him with our pain, He is able to transform them into blessings and use them for good. Joseph’s story and the promise of Scripture remind us that God works all things together for good for those who love Him. As we lay down our desire for revenge and surrender our wounds at the foot of the cross, God gives us the grace to pick up new assignments—acts of love, service, and hope. In this way, we become people who bear good fruit, full of joy, patience, and kindness, and we witness God’s redemptive power at work in and through us. [49:45]
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Reflection: What pain or disappointment do you need to lay at the foot of the cross today, trusting God to transform it into a blessing for you and others?
Quotes
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