Living in the Wonder of Mercy

How could such grace abound for sinners? How can peace be found again after our failures?

Click here to listen to this devotional written and narrated by Susan Davidson.

“Should I go, or should I stay home?” 

This would typically be an easy choice, but I wrestled to reach an answer. There was a soul-crushing weight as I pondered this decision because remorse from a devastating week held me in its grip. Where I used to feel joy attending Sunday morning church service, I now felt unworthy to pass through the doors. 

I sat in the pews, bracing myself for the sermon to bring conviction. A dispirited week of disappointments and emotional upsets lay like smoldering ashes behind me.  I had failed miserably at being the Proverbs 31 woman I strive to be. Instead of always having the law of kindness on my tongue, I had lost my temper and spewed out words that had been far from kind. I felt like such a failure and wondered why a holy God could ever find it in His heart to bless me again. 

Surprisingly, my shame and remorse began dissipating during the service. Instead of the scolding from the sermon I had prepared myself for, I felt the words spoken console and comfort my heart. 

The pastor read the message of Hebrews 12:12-13a with such gentleness, “lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet.” (KJV) Upon hearing the verse, I felt released from my shame. Even more miraculous, my melancholy mood gave way to joy and peace. 

How could such grace abound for sinners? How can peace be found again after our failures? From our minor everyday shortcomings to other sins we hide away, forgiveness is forever attainable from a merciful God. Living in this hallowed place of being fully known yet eternally loved brings wonder to our hearts.

There is such vastness to God’s grace, and the absolute beauty of His sacred gift called mercy.

Instead of the nakedness we often feel caused by our sins, we find them completely covered by the blood of Jesus when we come to Him in humility. His blood covers us just as graciously as the garments of skin covered Adam and Eve and their shame in the garden. Despite our many flaws and failures, we are forever welcomed even into God’s most holy place. My heart is awe-struck thinking how such a thing could be!

At first, I slowly opened my hands during praise and worship, but I soon stretched them exuberantly toward heaven.  As God’s presence washed over me, I was amazed that I had felt completely forgiven again.  

The love of Jesus never gives up on us, and the depths of His mercy never run dry.  We find that God’s mercy is renewed every morning just as He promised, and the grace He freely offers us is limitless.  The faithful love of our heavenly Father pursues us, chasing us down every winding road where we wander aimlessly. He patiently stands in the shadows waiting to welcome us and intentionally pursues us with a love that never dwindles or runs out.

I departed the church service all smiles, where I had initially entered holding back tears.  I would now face a new week with a fresh sense of hope and purpose. I put my shortcomings behind me and stepped out in full assurance of faith that God would meet me right where I was and walk forward with me. I wondrously discovered that I am forever welcome to come boldly to the throne of grace. There I will never carry to Him a need He cannot meet or carry to Him a sin that cannot be forgiven. 

Do you struggle to surrender your shortcomings to God? Do you fear you have failed too many times to try again? I pray God leads you to awe and wonder this week as you personally discover the vastness of His grace and mercy made available for you.

Connect with Susan Davidson

https://ruth216girl.com/

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