GOD'S MERCY

Psalm 123 is also a song that the Jews sang as they walked towards the city of Jerusalem to worship God in His temple. In this song, they acknowledge that they were living in the mercies of God. God is holy and just, and they were guilty of their sins. They realized before God that the only way for them to restore their relationship with Him and receive His deliverance from their enemies was through His mercy. Psalm 123:1-2 says, "I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven. As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he shows us his mercy." As they walked toward the temple in Jerusalem, they depended completely on God, like servants relying on their master's hand for provision and direction.

In our relationship with God, it's easy to feel entitled to His blessings. Even though we don't say it, our attitude and actions show as if God owes us His blessings. For example, when a tragedy or bad things happen to us, we immediately question God's goodness because we expect Him to protect us from tragedies. We have the impression that we deserve God's protection despite all the sins that we have done. If we compare our obedience and disobedience before God, more than likely, our disobedience towards God will outweigh our obedience. But despite our sins or disobedience, we still expect Him to protect and bless us. We need to understand, just as the Jews understood God in this Psalm, that we only deserve God's blessings through His mercy. If our hearts are proud before Him and not willing to submit to His will, we cannot expect God's blessings. God says this in Exodus 33:19 and Romans 9:15: "I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose." God's choice to show mercy and compassion depends on His own will, not on human status, good deeds, or efforts.

We must approach God through His mercy, for He is holy and we are not. God loves us, and He shows us mercy when we express gratitude for His blessings, humility, and submission to His will. Luke 1:50 says, “He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear Him.”

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Why is it important for me to approach God with gratitude, humility, and submission? Am I entitled to God's blessings? Why or why not? What lesson did I learn in today's devotion? 

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, I humbly come before your throne. I acknowledge that you are a Holy God, and I am not. Please have mercy on me and forgive me for all the sins that I have committed. Thank you for your forgiveness. Please do not let my heart become prideful and forsake your ways. Thank you for all the blessings that you have given me. Please help me to always walk in humility before you and submit all my ways to you. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.