judgment vs mercy..

A storekeeper who whacked a police man with a helmet was fined RM6,500. But he pleaded for the court to be lenient as he only earned RM800 a month, has a wife and 2 kids to support, and had no previous criminal record. Too bad the magistrate deemed his excuses unacceptable, thus he was sentenced to 3 months jail.

A granddad rapped his granddaughter, aging 12 and 5 months old. He is entitled to 33 years of rotting in jail, plus whipping upon conviction. But just cos he was 50 years and above, he was only sentenced to jail.

This 2 cases was enough to get me thinking. So should we abide by the law a 100%, or should we be overflowing with mercy?

To paint a smaller picture of what is one my mind, here is a simple situation. Lets say u r a class teacher that has to arrange ur students in a sitting order according to the name list cos HM says so. Part of HM's plan in helping students "integrate" with each other and not stick in cliques. And so, as a good teacher, u do what u r asked too. However after doing it, u realise that u have stuck a girl in btw 4 guys. This girl comes and plead to u to change her place. What's worse, she brings up stories that she was once molested and do not feel secure anymore.So what will u do? follow orders and letting the poor girl sit there miserably the whole year, risking the chance that she will b disturbed or harassed by the guys. Or, letting her change her place and flushing HM's plan down the bowl. Which one will it be?

Rules/Laws/Orders that r made with proper rational behind them r rightly to b followed. After all, they r laws. But, should we allow mercy to come into consideration in executing the law? If we dont follow the law, we put our self at risk from higher authorities. If we dont show mercy in judgment, we r seen as mean and unforgiving. How how how??

Lets c what the bible says... "For judgment is merciless for the one who has shown no mercy. But mercy triumphs over judgment" James2:13 WHAT!?!?!!?!?!?!?!

somebody help me decide what is right..thanks