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Hear the devotional here: https://bit.ly/3pkEmau
1 I look to you, heaven-dwelling God, look up to you for help. 2 Like servants, alert to their master's commands, like a maiden attending her lady, We're watching and waiting, holding our breath, awaiting your word of mercy. 3 Mercy, God, mercy! We've been kicked around long enough, 4 Kicked in the teeth by complacent rich men, kicked when we're down by arrogant brutes. (psalm 123 The Message)
God is in His Heaven, and here we are, again, needing mercy. I for one, am so glad God never tires of that old song; for our God is a God of love and mercy. God is always with us, in the good and the bad. We who normally would deserve destruction and death, are rewarded with a second chance and a new opportunity to make ourselves and the world around us, better than ever!
My brother worked in an office supply store in the mid-70s where a fixture at the store was a man who knew the store inside and out; where all the bodies were buried, and whose favorite word was mercy. He would say something, and conclude his statement with mercy. If someone shared a story or a concern, he would answer back, mercy. It can serve as a catch-all word, but when David uses it, he truly and deeply means it; "We're watching and waiting, holding our breath, awaiting Your word of mercy. Mercy, God, mercy!" Mercy is favor shown a debtor who deserves nothing and by mercy, especially God's mercy, gets everything. David more than once, just like you and me, have felt like his next sentence, "We've been kicked around long enough, kicked in the teeth." Mercy is being at the point of powerlessness, and getting full power back. Mercy is having the wind knocked out of your breath and suddenly it all returns. Mercy is being at your weakest and then having the stamina to endure and overcome. Mercy is knowing where the Source of all power, strength, life, and love lies, and that is in the heart of God. Mercy.
So, dear Friend, you may be at wit's end with the unexpected, but take heart, the same place a king knew to get all he needed for himself, we as servants of the King can go and expect the same. Mercy.
PRAYER: Loving King, You who sits on the throne of Heaven, know what has come that we didn't expect. It has truly banged us up, and down; and all around. We turn to the only One in whom we trust, and that is You. Raise us up, fill us up, and use us up in doing good for someone today; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. Show someone mercy today. You know who I'm talking about!
Receive my blessings of joy and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
