Grace and Mercy

I don't know about you, but I am very glad that God is gracious and merciful. The psalmist said, "The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger and great in lovingkindness" (Psalm 145:8). Actually, although I do not know your specific situation, the grace and mercy of God is something you need, too. All of us do.

I am so glad that: The Lord is good to all, and His mercies are over all His works (Psalm 145:9), aren't you? I need Him to be good to me today, because I have not been as good and faithful to Him as I should have been. It means so much to be able to open His book and read that He sustains me and raises me up when I am down (Psalm 145:14). Sometimes I am bowed down by the circumstances of this life and sometimes I am bowed down by my own sin. Today, it is the latter.

All of us find ourselves in this situation from time to time. Either we have done something we know is wrong, or we have found ourselves in a situation that causes us great stress even when we do what is right. In either case, I want you to know today that God sees you and His graciousness and lovingkindness (mercy) is available to you. You can have that great weight lifted from your shoulders. When Jesus said, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden..." he was not just giving preachers a great memory verse with which to end a sermon. He was offering to take your load, which is too heavy for you to carry, and give you one that is "easy" and "light" (Matthew 11:28-30).

Please do not try to get through the rest of the day, or the rest of the week, or the rest of your life carrying a load you simply cannot carry. Try the yoke and load of Jesus "and you shall find rest for your soul." God makes this offer because He loves you and I wanted to tell you about it because I love you, too.

Donnie Bates