Oh, But for the Mercy of God!

I’ve heard people say “Lorrrd, have mercy!” as a quick retort when yet another “I can’t believe it” circumstance happens. In reality, that is what we should say, rather pray, anytime we encounter a roadblock, a rock landslide, “rocked my world” or rock crazy situations going on in our world. God is our ROCK in all of life's ups and downs and His DIVINE MERCY is at our beckoned call when tough times come or when we are the ones who made a huge mistake and created the tough times.

Today is “Divine Mercy” Sunday – a time that is specifically dedicated to the great gift of the Lord’s mercy and love. God's “Divine Mercy” was given in His covenant as He promised protection, provision, guidance, and His constant presence to His children. Because God is the initiator, the mercy He gives is gracious, unmerited, undeserved, is compassionate and leads to forgiveness, and to the steadfast love that God sustains in our relationship with Him.

Thank God, we are no longer defined by our past because God's mercy is real and available. Of course, we celebrate His mercy every time we cry out to Him for mercy when we have failed Him. And, mercy should be a part of every Christian's life when we have been hurt by someone. “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” (Matthew 5:7).

Think about it – after Jesus rose from the dead, He went to His disciples where they were huddled in fear. He could have gone in and started in a rant about their weaknesses and their failures. He could have displayed His disappointment in their betrayal and denial of Him. His first words could have been, “Thanks…. for NOTHING! What were you thinking? Where were you when I needed you?” He had every right to unload His righteous indignation on them. But, no, His first words to them were “Peace be with you”. Isn’t that the way He continues to speak to us – in spite of our mistakes & failures? He loves us unconditionally and speaks “Peace be with you.” Yes, He is a God of divine mercy!

None of us need to be defined by our past because Divine Mercy is open to us all. Whether our sins are small or great, the mercy of God is available to all of us. The mercy of God is real! The mercy of God is His love! The mercy of God is the power of the resurrection still working today. You are not your past. Believe in it! Embrace it! God’s Divine Mercy forgives, forgets and even forges the way to becoming all God destined for us in the first place. So, shouldn't His example cause us to be His people of mercy, too -- forgiving and loving others with mercy? Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.

Where Do You Get Your Daily NOURISHMENT From?

My word for today is NOURISHMENT -- the food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition; sustenance, nutrition, provision

Yesterday, my granddaughter, Alexia Wallace, came over to help with racking my leaves. I picked up a Chick Fil A breakfast for us (Alexia’s main hang-out – it’s her place of work and her favorite place to eat.).

We needed NOURISHMENT to get us through the task that laid all over my yard and porch. That was the second time of racking this winter. Yes, Winter. Our Fall went straight to Winter before all the leaves fell off Many are still hanging on for dear life, but a ton have made their way, like a wind tunnel, to my front porch and yard. I think the neighbors’ leaves joined mine. Six bags of leaves later, we could rest from our labors. Once upon a time – my Alexia wanted to play in the leaves. Yesterday, she NOURISHED her Nana with her young agile body AND her heart to serve.

More important than my daily food NOURISHMENT for my physical well-being, is what I feed on that keeps me strong mentally and spiritually – that which NOURISHES and sustains my soul and spirit.

Romans 10:17 says “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Our faith hungers for that food that will cause it to be NOURISHED and to grow. Faith feeds on God's Word (the Bible) and faith is NOURISHED and grows stronger the more God's Word lives in us. Our Creator made it so that our faith works much the same way our bodies work. He designed us to require daily NOURISHMENT. So, a few cups of coffee in the morning, a protein bar at lunch and dinner isn’t enough to sustain us physically. We need real food — fruits and vegetables, proteins and carbohydrates — to supply the fuel we need to carry us throughout each day.

Similarly, a diet lacking a steady intake of God’s Word doesn’t provide our faith with the NOURISHMENT and sustenance we need in facing giants of doubt, unbelief, and worry. Again, that verse in Romans says “Faith comes by hearing the Word of God.” How do we hear it? We attend church and Bible studies where faith is taught. We read it. We study it and live our lives by what God's Word says. Then it becomes alive in us.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 says "But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and never stop producing fruit.” True NOURISHMENT.
When we read, study and meditate on God’s Word, we become like those strong, unbendable, bountiful trees.

I notice my faith barometer drops drastically when my pursuit of God’s Word slackens. When I’m intent on not just reading God’s Word, but even memorizing scriptures, I’m able to counteract the fiery darts of the enemy when he comes barreling into my life.
It’s time to increase our daily intake of God’s Word. It will be like NOURISHMENT and medicine to our bodies, souls and spirits – and if ever we needed to be operating at full capacity, our fuel topped off for the day’s long haul, with our hearts renewed and filled with the Word of God – it’s today.

“Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:4