Mercy

I thought I didn’t need God’s mercy.

Let me explain.

I thought because I was saved, sanctified and covered by the blood of Jesus, I did not need daily mercy. I thought because I had asked Jesus into my heart, I did not need mercy. I would hear in church, “His mercies are new every morning.” I would even pray it. But I didn’t think it applied to me. Why would I need His mercies when I’m already saved?

One day, I heard a pastor praying for God’s mercy on behalf of his congregation. Nothing in particular had happened. He was just travailing on behalf of his congregation, asking God for His mercies to open doors, heal terminal illnesses, bring the prodigal home, relieve prolonged suffering, etc., etc.

I paused and thought, “I don’t need God’s mercies. I’m good.” But the more I thought about it, the more convicted I became. My statement transformed into a question, “God, do I need Your mercies?”

I went to the scripture I had heard most often prayed about His mercies. One I had prayed myself without full understanding.

I had always missed the beginning of verse 22, “Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish,”

It hit me! It’s because of His faithful love that He extends daily mercies so that we do not perish. So that I do not perish. I need His mercies because daily I sin, knowingly and unknowingly.

​Psalm 19 talks about our presumptuous or unintentional sins,

Verse 23 of Lamentations 3 says, “They [His mercies] are new every morning…” Which begs the question, why would they need to be new every morning if I only needed His mercies once. If He’s offering me this gift of His mercies daily, I probably need it daily. Probably because of my presumptuous sins.

I’m not saying I have it figured out, but these are my thoughts as I’ve been asking questions of the text.

What are your thoughts on mercy friend? I would love to hear them. Share your comments below or reply to this email.

Until next week …

Miracles + Blessings!

Brenda

Fearless & Anointed

If you’re in the Chicagoland area this weekend, join me and my friend Maria at her retreat, Fearless & Anointed. The event is on Saturday May 31st at 9:30am in Frankfort, IL.

We’d love to have you!

Click the image to get your ticket!