Ever Thankful, Ever Blessed

If you're like me you know the wretchedness of your own heart.  You know all the deep, dark stains and the brokenness that lies there.  And our Father knows them too.  Yet He extends mercy to us.  He calls His and redeems us and loves us.  Romans 5:8  But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

This past Sunday we continued our sermon series in the Beatitudes, focusing on verse 7, God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.   Think about that.  Think about the amount of mercy God shows us.  Think for a minute or two of everything you do wrong in one given day.  An unkind thought, a careless word, a hurtful attitude.  Gossip, complaint, turning away from someone who needs help....the list goes on and on.  If that doesn't bring you to your knees with the knowledge of your need for a merciful Savior.....I know it does for me.  I can totally relate to John Newton when he penned those words, "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost, but now I'm found.  Was blind, but now I see." 

Our worship team found a beautiful song that touched my heart on Sunday.  It reminded me how truly blessed I am, how wonderful of a God we serve, and the amazing Savior who loves me.  It brought to my mind the mercifulness of our Father, the one who sought us, looked down the road for us, waiting us to return to His embrace (see the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32).  

I am ever thankful and ever blessed by the mercy and love of our Father.  Lamentations 3:22-24  The faithful love of the Lord never ends!  His mercies never cease.  Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.  I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him!"   What an amazing God we serve!  Enjoy His mercies, then share them with others!  

Lord, I am humbled by Your love.  Amazed at Your mercy.  Everyday I need boatloads of it and so often I fail to extend the same to others.  Forgive me and change me.  Create in me a clean heart, a merciful heart.  Let me see and treat others as You do me.  I celebrate You mercifulness.  I revel in it and rejoice in Your kindness.  Help us all to remember how much mercy You show us each day and let our hearts give thanks.  Let us give what we've been given.  In Jesus' saving Name.  Amen.