When I deserved justice, He gave me mercy
When bonds held me fast, He set me free
Now my one goal in life’s to live
For the day that I can give
Give Him thanks for the day He showed mercy to me*

Have you ever had a word come up over and over in your studies that you couldn’t help but stop and pay attention to? I don’t often have this happen, but in the last couple of weeks, God has been bringing the word “mercy” to mind over and over.

It started as I was reading through the book of Job. I found myself overwhelmed by God’s mercy. The fact is that I deserve justice and judgment and suffering and yet he extends grace and pardon and, yes, mercy. That realization is quite mind boggling when you think of it.

God did not save you and me because he thought we were “cool.” In fact, I think He often finds the weakest, most pathetic people He can, and He says, “Now there is someone that I can use in my Kingdom!” It’s when we are crying out to Him, beating on our chests and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” that He can finally work in and through us.

Until we understand just how merciful God has been to us and how undeserving we are of that mercy, I’m not sure we will love Him as deeply as we need to. This week, be sure to thank God for His mercy and ask Him to make you even more aware of just how merciful He has been to you.

*Opening quote from the song Day of Mercy, written by Ronny Hinson.