Pilot Knob Lutheran God is Merciful 4/3/2024
I would like to share another devotional that is very touching and encouraging written by, Julie Sunne, the daughter-in-law of Ruth Sunne. Julie has published a book due to come out next month entitled: Sometimes I Forget.
If you are looking for encouragement, especially during difficult and trying times, Sometimes I Forget would be a good addition to your library.
God Is Merciful
Sometimes I forget, Lord, that You are merciful, offering pardon
instead of just condemnation. . . .
Therefore the Lord is waiting to show you
mercy, and is rising up to show you compassion,
for the Lord is a just God.
All who wait patiently for him are happy.
(Isa. 30:18)
God’s mercy is so great that you may sooner drain the sea of its water,
or deprive the sun of its light, or make space too narrow,
than diminish the great mercy of God.”
CHARLES SPURGEON
There wasn’t much I could do but hold the sobbing woman, uncomfortably shifting from one foot to the other. This was out of my comfort zone, like way out in a different country. Standing in line to have our books autographed, I didn’t expect the outpouring of this dear lady’s emotions.
The Holy Spirit used the speaker’s powerful, grace-laced, scripturally based message to convince this daughter of His undying love for her and His capacity to forgive. Her regret and shame about her lurid past mixed with deep relief and gratitude. Yet she struggled to accept the reality that, in Christ, she was truly free.
I felt awkward in that moment, but we all need to hear about the scandalous mercy of our Lord—a mercy that defies human understanding. Divine mercy poured out on sinners. So, I assured her that no sin or sorrow is too great to escape God’s mercy. I reminded her that God delivers love, mercy, and righteousness to His children in perfect proportions. I consoled her with the truth that, thanks to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Father pardons us, holding back the judgment we deserve. These were words I needed to hear as well.
Because I sin. In the words of Paul, “I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate” (Rom. 7:15b). And no matter how many times I fall to temptation, the Lord is there—not to point His finger, not to chastise me, but to pick me up and encourage me all over again. To offer forgiveness and another chance. To give me mercy. Just as He did with so many throughout Scripture: the adulteress of her lurid past (John 8), Peter of his betrayal of Jesus (John 21), and Saul of his horrible persecution of Christians in his early years (Acts 9).
They fell into sin, but God reached out His hand and offered them redemption. He didn’t condone what they had done, but He did offer them His mercy in spite of their failings. He does the same for us in all of our wayward steps.
The Lord is infinitely merciful, offering all believers pardon day in and day out. He doesn’t keep count of our mistakes and He doesn’t wait for us to be cleaned up. We don’t deserve His mercy. We deserve condemnation and judgment. But Jesus, our Savior, stepped up to take the wrath of God for us. He received the judgment that should have been on us. And that mercy? In Christ, it’s new and it’s ours every day.
Sometimes I forget, Lord, that You are merciful,
offering pardon instead of just condemnation.
I forget that in the midst of my sinful thoughts and choices,
You hold back the judgment I deserve,
restraining Your wrath and offering me forgiveness in its place.
Oh, Lord, forgive this wretched soul!
Remind me that my sinful actions don’t disqualify me.
Help me remember that, in Your great and perfect mercy, I am forgiven.
Strengthen me to walk in that pardon,
so I can be an effective vessel in Your hands.
Embolden me to remind those around me
of Your unmerited mercy that is new every day.
TRUTH REMINDER
In God’s mercy, I am not disqualified
by my sinful thoughts and choices
but receive pardon in Christ.
Copyright © 2024 by Julie Sunne All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America 978-1-4300-8201-9 Published by B&H Publishing Group Brentwood, Tennessee
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way:
Today: 3:45 No Confirmation class.
Sunday 7, 9:00 AM Morning worship service & Holy Communion. Sermon: From the Beginning
Sunday April 7, 2:00 GriefShare. Please tell others. For more information go to:
https://www.griefshare.org/findagroupor contact Pr. Bob or Sue Reese.
~ Past communiques and sermons can be read and heard on our website: www.pilotknob.org and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PilotKnobLutheran/
Family Talk with Dr. James Dobsonhttps://www.drjamesdobson.org/
Mission Statement:To help preserve and promote the institution of the family and the biblical principles on which it is based; to seek to introduce as many people as possible to the gospel of Jesus Christ; and to promote the sanctity of human life, God-honoring sexuality, religious freedom, respect for the American founding; and righteousness in the culture. The Dr. James Dobson Family Institute (JDFI) was founded initially as Family Talk in 2010 by Dr. James Dobson, the ministry promotes and teaches biblical principles that support marriage, family, and child-development.
