Remember back in the day when department stores had signs that said, “If you break it, you pay for it.”

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As kids, we knew that if we touched something when Mother wasn’t looking and broke it, Mother would have to pay for it—even though we were the ones who broke it!

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The store manager didn’t hold the child responsible for paying for the broken item. The parents made up the difference.

I cannot count the times in my life when I made wrong decisions and things didn’t turn out so well. Afterward, I wanted to kick myself for what I had done.

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But it reminds me of that same scenario: I broke it, but God made up the difference!

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I repented for my wrong decision, and that gave God the opportunity to work in my situation. I broke it, but He paid for it!

In our redemption, it’s not simply a matter of, “If we break it, God will pay for it.” The price has already been paid before we ever break anything! Jesus knew that we would break things in the process of learning and we would need mercy, and He made provision for us through His finished work.

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When we repent and begin pressing forward again, His loving power enables us to get back on track. He makes up the difference where our mistakes have left us lacking.

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His goodness, mercy, and grace are always available to us as we walk the path He has prepared for us.

Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works that God has already prepared for us to walk in.

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Hebrews 4:16 tells us we can come boldly to His throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in our time of need.

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When we break something, we certainly need His mercy and His enabling power to make up the difference. And He never resents us for needing His help—not even when we have to come back to Him again and again.

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Think about that little child in the store. When something breaks, fear sets in. The child may be afraid the store manager will come after him or that his mother will be angry and disappointed.

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But instead, his mother comforts him. She assures him that she will pay for the broken item and that he doesn’t have to be afraid of the store manager.

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That is a beautiful picture of mercy!

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However, once they get home, his mother may address his disobedience. She might add two extra chores to his list each week for three weeks to remind him that obedience matters.

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Why? Because she wants him to learn that there are blessings in staying in the flow of obedience.

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God’s mercy doesn’t mean obedience doesn’t matter. His grace doesn’t give us permission to disobey. His goodness leads us forward, teaching us to walk in His ways and enjoy the blessings of obedience.

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Being forgiven is the greatest blessing we could ever receive. Living a life of obedience to God’s written Word and His spoken direction brings the daily blessings of walking with Him.

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Psalm 68:19 says that He daily loads us with benefits!

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We don’t have to remain down because we made a wrong decision. We repent, receive His mercy, tap into His grace, and get back on the path He has prepared for us.

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When you break it, remember: Jesus has already paid the price. Receive His mercy, depend on His grace, and keep moving forward in obedience!

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Have a great week and remember that Jesus is coming soon!!!