Reflection on Today's Verse
We often act as if everything depends on how hard we work, how disciplined we are, and how consistent we are. We feel good about ourselves when we do well. We feel like we don’t belong when we fail. But this verse makes you think differently. Your ups and downs don’t control God. His mercy comes from His own will, His wisdom, and His eternal purpose in Christ.
It can be uncomfortable at first because it means you don’t have control. But it’s actually liberating. If mercy depended on you, you could lose it as soon as you made a mistake. You can relax because it depends on Him, even if you feel weak, confused, or unworthy.
Personal Prayer
Dear God, thank You for Your mercy, which I could never earn and don’t deserve. Thank You that my standing with You doesn’t depend on what I do, but on what the Lord Jesus Christ has already done.
Teach my heart to be at peace with Your power. Please remind me that You are wise, just, and full of mercy when I don’t understand what You’re doing. When I feel like I don’t deserve it, please remind me that Your grace is greater than my sin. When I get proud, remind me that everything I have comes from You.
Please help me be thankful for Your mercy, obey You, and have a soft heart toward others. Please help me be merciful to those around me, just as You have been merciful to me.
Let Your mercy shape my thoughts, words, and choices today as I keep my eyes on Christ. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.