July 14
1 Chron 16:37-18:17 | PS 10:16-18 | Prov 19:8-9 | Rom 2:1-24
Mercy is the forgiveness extended to us, the sinners, and withholding the punishment we actually deserve. Grace is heaping undeserved blessings upon us, the sinner. Realize, in this, we the sinners are not receiving that which we deserve, we are being blessed in areas that we don't deserve. Everything good in our lives is His grace. We don't deserve the blessings of our spouses, our children, our jobs, our education, our homes, or even the comforts of living in our nation. Since we sin constantly, in thought and deed, but not for God's mercy, none of us would have the ability to even take a breath as judgment is what we deserve. Those used by God, simply realized this. They did not believe they earned anything. These are the individuals then, and now, that God can use.
We read in 1 Chronicles 16, David set up and maintained regular worship at the tabernacle. Notice the words in 16:37, "and with them Heman and Jeduthun and the rest who were chosen, who were designated by name, to give thanks to the Lord, because His mercy endures forever;". David realized and wanted continuous praise under the banner of God's mercy. David got it. After the beautiful promise by God which had both near and far implications, initially through his son, Solomon, but more importantly through the Messiah, we read David's response to the grace lavished upon him in 17:26-27, "And now, Lord, You are God, and have promised this goodness to Your servant. Now You have been pleased to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue before You forever; for You have blessed it, O Lord, and it shall be blessed forever.”" Again, David got it.
We need to get our heads out of the "what I deserve" mentality. We deserve absolutely nothing. But God doesn't desire for us to continually beat ourselves up. He simply wants us to enjoy the freedom that comes from accepting His grace. He wants us to receive it, thankfully and gracefully. He wants to be our Father, and wants us to see ourselves rightly, as the recipients of His grace and mercy, as His children. May this result in an overflowing of thankfulness, when we finally come to grips with what it is that comes from Him, and how little of it really comes from us.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: