Mercy

“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.”  Psalm 123:2

Oh, how I needed God’s mercy last night. Oh, how I need it every night, but there are specific nights when a specific flaw in my character reminds me even more of my great need for God’s mercy.

Simply put, I was angry, and try as I might, I could not make myself feel not angry.  The only thing my flesh wanted to do was yell some words that I would never have been able to take back. I did not feel in any way soft-hearted or kind. I felt hard, bitter, and mean.

“In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold” (Ephesians 4:27).

 Aware of my feelings and not wanting to sin or give the enemy a foothold into my life, I cried out to Jesus. I prayed, “LORD, please help me. I cannot stop these angry feelings. I am hurt and bitter and I don’t want to be hurt and bitter. I don’t want to go to bed angry, and I don’t want to do anything that would displease You. Please, please help me, LORD!”

And then I went to bed. I admit I still felt angry when I laid my head down, but it started to dissipate as I drifted off to sleep.

 “…weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).

It’s amazing what a good night’s sleep can do to your mood! I woke up feeling no longer angry. The tension was gone. I woke up feeling peaceful, hopeful, and joyful as I prayerfully submitted this new day to the LORD.

The key to my freedom last night was in just admitting my brokenness once again to the Lord. I did not give in to the sin that wanted me to give it a voice. I then waited for the healing. But through the entire process, I kept my focus squarely on my Savior.

Isn’t it refreshing to know that we can always bring any broken part to the LORD, even if it’s the same broken part, over and over?

 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV).

 I thank Him that He continues to save me day after day after day, from whatever evil looms near.

“Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for saving us day after day. You rescue us in ways big and small, from things we perceive, and things we fail to perceive. May we always trust in Your never ending mercy and goodness to us. In Your precious name, Jesus, Amen.”