“It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” Lam. 3:22
Noah Webster described mercy as the “… tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves ….” It is God’s “tenderness of heart” that overlooks all we have done, and allows us to have more than we deserve!
What we all truly deserve is:
- Judgment for our sins.
- To reap what we have sown. If we all had received the consequences from ALL our sins, none of us would have a moment that we were not regretting some consequence from a past mistake.
- A place in hell because of our sin. Because of sin, “big” or “small”, no one will see heaven, unless they trust Jesus’ death on the cross as payment for their sins.
- Nothing good. Why is it that so many think they “deserve” a longer life, more happiness, fewer troubles, more riches, or better opportunities than another?
None of us deserve anything, but then there is God’s mercy. His “tenderness of heart” gives all, especially those that are born into His family (John 3:3), far more than they deserve.
Thank you, Lord, for your compassion and mercy that:
- Forgives and forgets every single sin when we are saved! Each sin we commit is against the Great God. He hates every sin; yet when we are saved, He forgives and forgets every single transgression (Psalms 103:12).
- No matter who we are, or what we have done, His mercy allows each of us to be a child of His.
- Gives us second, third, fourth … chances to try to correct our sin!
- Even though we mess up, He still loves us!
- Even though we can do so little for Him, He still will let us work for Him and be a testimony for Him. Often, it is like a two-year old trying to help an adult. In most situations, the child is probably more of a hindrance than a help, but still the adult lets the child try! That is what our patient God does! Even though we are weak and riddled with faults; He still will use us for His work, if we desire to be used.
- Answers our requests when we seldom talk to Him. Too many only pray when there is a problem. Daily fellowship with Him is not common for many.
- Listens to us any time of day or night. Try that with your parents or best friends!
- Helps us when we get in a jam, because we did not listen to Him in the first place!
- Shows us repeatedly what He wants us to do. The God of Heaven should only have to speak to us once, and we should do as He bids.
God is so good! We deserve nothing, but get so much from a wonderful Father. All have received much more of His mercy than is deserved. Then why can we not:
- Forgive and forget when one hurts our feelings? Think how many times you have been forgiven!
- Give others a second, third, or … chance, when they make a mistake?
- Overlook and forget when folks talk against you? Think of all the times you have gossiped.
- Still love and care for those that do wrong against us (Luke 6:28)? Be kind to those that cannot do as good a job, play ball, read in class, or are as smart as you are? God knows everything, yet He still listens to us and has compassion.
- Help others when you see the need, even though they may have wronged you in the past? You have wronged God, yet He still helps you!
- Have mercy on a person, when they are having a bad day or are not themselves because of a tragedy or problem in his life? Would you want to be ignored or forgotten when you are going through trials and tribulations? God would never do that to you, if you are His child.
Be a little more like God! Put up with more from others. Have mercy on others! Look what God puts up with in you!
enjoyed this devotion this morning and especially enjoyed the comments from a year ago.
I’m using my i-pad. Just wanted to see if I can send a comment from it! See ya’ll tomorrow morning!
@David I have been absent due to health issues and my pc was hacked so had been working on it for like a week so just today playing catch up . All the heat has been getting to me due not being able to afford using my AC smiles. Thank you for thinking of me God bless .
I don’t know how you do it without AC. 20 years ago I got heat stroke, and I can’t take any heat. We grow our own food, and I have to be done by 8:30-9 am. That heat kills me. So sorry what you are going through. I pray for your health all the time……
It is a matter of no choice as I have to live with in a small budget and yep do a lot of sweating but have a good fan running thanks to someone buying it for me as mine kept over heating so I am okay . As for being outside I do most of my out side stuff in the morning as well smiles … God is good you know and I think of a lot of other people who don’t even have a fan so I am thankful I do smiles .
I appreciate your thankful spirit!
Glad to see you got you and the PC up and going again.
I am like Bill, The older I get, the more spoiled to AC I am. I grew up without it, never had it until I was an adult, but would not want to be without now.
I grew up with out an AC too and didn’t have one until I rented a trailer in 2004 but I would set it not to come on unless it hit 90 in the day and 80 at night as was costly so that was the only time I have ever had central air and heat but only lived there like 3 years , now I live in a house [ 9 years ] and have a floor unit ran it in June lights too high did not run it in July except for one night but ran an icon [ small unit for humid ] lights still high so not running the icon and since I have the stand up fan could cut off two fans I was running so praying light bill wont get so high this month [AUG.} . The way this house is built I cant get a cross breeze if the breeze is blowing so that is no help either . Anyway sweating is good as it purifies the body smiles and unless one has a generator for back up and a storm makes the power go off what will one do ah no fan no ac so being with out helps one to adapt I guess smiles .
I was sitting in a Sunday School class once and the subject of whether someone who had never heard the gospel would go to hell or not came up. Surprisingly, several argued that God would not allow them to go to hell because they never had the opportunity to be saved, it would not be fair.
The pastor happened to be in the class and was asked for his opinion which echoed what Bro Doug said in his response…. I thought it was an excellent answer. He said.. It is fair that they go to hell, in fact, it is fair that we all go to hell. If it weren’t for the grace extended to us by accepting Jesus and living for him, we would be going there too.
I appreciate this devotion and the posts along with it.
Anyone heard from STAR? Miss seeing those posts.
I have to share this: I’m studying the book of Acts in Bible college! My Sunday School quarter is in Acts! And Bro. Bill’s devotions is in in Acts right now! I guess God wants me to learn something in Acts!
I’d say so. I love it when one sees God’s fingerprints all around their life.
I’ve heard people say, “God is not fair!” And I’d say, “You don’t want God to be fair! If He was fair everybody would die and go to Hell!”
Awesome devotion!
Whew! That’s the truth. Certainly am glad I don’t get what I deserve!