Mercies

As I sit in my secret place and watch the sun rise over the Organ Mountains, I am reminded of how much the Father loves His children. 

Lamentations 3:22-23,"The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."

Every morning He gives us new mercies to carry us through the day. 

Webster's Dictionary defines mercy as: 1 compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power.  2 a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion. 

I believe both definitions apply to God's mercies. First, we are under "His power" and we are offenders. Romans 3:23,"For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard."  In spite of our failings, God extends compassion and forbearance to us. When we repent He doesn't even remember our sin anymore. Psalm 103:12,"He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west." It is obviously not because He couldn't remember it if He chose. The beauty of forgiveness is that He chooses not to remember our sin. 

The second definition applies as well. God daily blesses our lives with acts of divine favor. If we look at each day after it has passed, we can see the divine favor God bestowed upon us that day. Some may be small things like getting to visit with a friend. Others may be big things like receiving a new job. Big or small we can each look back and see the blessings. 

The key is recognizing God's hand in our circumstances. Because we are His children, nothing can touch our lives that He is not aware of.  

He allows things, both good and bad, to touch us each day. Both are intended to draw us closer to Him and to make us more like Jesus. Romans 8:28 tells us, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." 

Psalm 103:13-14,"The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. God  is our Father, and like earthly fathers sometimes have to allow their children to feel pain (like getting shots are stitches) our Heavenly Father does the same. The difference however, is that our earthly fathers can only see today. They also often fail to remember that their children are just that children and they expect too much from them. 

Our Heavenly Father sees all of time in one instant. He knows our beginning and our end. And He remembers that we are weak, that be are just dust. He only expects from us what He gives us the strength and power to do. 

Today try to remember the blessings of yesterday. No matter how bad or hard yesterday seemed as you journeyed through it, there were blessings.  Find them! Recognize them and thank you Father for them!!!!  The Lord inhabits the praises of His people. Psalm 22:3, "Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel."  That's you and me. 

Mercies

By Melissa Larabee

I was with you yesterday, my mercies they were new.  My grace gave you the strength to walk, my hand was holding you.

As you look more closely now my blessings you will find.  There is not one moment child, when you’re not on my mind.

I give you all that you need to face each day ahead, and if you tap into my strength you have nothing at all to dread.

My peace I give when trails come, if you will trust in my.  When I am working for your good, you have the victory.

But when you try to stand alone, ignore my strength and peace, you will find that you will fail because you are so weak.

You were not meant to walk alone, to do things as you please.  I made you to depend on me, to spend time on your knees. 

Seek my face and seek my heart, my mercies I renew.  I love you child and I desire to spend my day with you.

Bring me all your cares and fears, your worries and your doubt, for my child it is your growth and peace I care about.

I allow you to face some hard times but I am there with you.  Call upon my name and see that I will see you through. 

I give the strength that you need, the mercy, peace, and rest.  Just fall into my arms dear child and you will be truly blessed. 

I never waste a tear dear child, a sorrow or a pain.  As you learn to trust in me, more strength your life will gain.

In this life you will find sorrow, pain, and strife, but that is why I paid the price by giving up my life.

Even in the valley child, you can look and see, my mercies are renewed each day, and they’re always fresh and free. 

I will not leave you all alone to struggle through this life.  I care for you as a godly man cares for his new wife.

You are my bride and someday soon we’ll celebrate above, but till that day, dear child of mine, rest in my peace and love.