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| Stained glass at St John the Baptist's Anglican Church http://www.stjohnsashfield.org.au, Ashfield, New South Wales. Illustrates Jesus' description of himself "I am the Good Shepherd" (from the Gospel of John, chapter 10, verse 11). This version of the image shows the detail of his face. The memorial window is also captioned: "To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of William Wright. Died 6th November, 1932. Aged 70 Yrs." (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Psalm 51:1
King James Version (KJV)
How many times does it take to get something right? Some things are easy and we get them right the first time. Other things require several attempts before we learn how to do them. There are some skills that take a great amount of training before a person can become an expert.
But what about life? Relationships involve a lot of trial and error. There are often misunderstandings. Sometimes we mess up so badly that it's difficult for the one we've wronged to forgive us. Humans don't have the same capacity for mercy and grace toward each other as God has for us. We should thank him frequently for that.
Since the beginning of time people have rebelled against God and gone astray. God is always ready to forgive and show mercy. God is ready to give, but are you ready to ask?
God will not force Himself, his love, his grace, and his mercy upon us. We must be willing to receive. For those who receive God's gifts, great things await.
Don't lose out on what God wants for you.
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Titus 3:4-7
New International Version (NIV)
