Foundations Jan 6, 2011

Thursday, January 6, 2011
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Hosea 1-5 and 3 John

SCRIPTURE READING

Psalm 13:5 I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. (NKJV)
 

God delights in showing us loving kindness (Jer. 9:24). He actually wants to be merciful
towards us, but this is an extremely difficult message for some of us to receive. We are
often hard on ourselves, thinking that condemning ourselves will somehow make it all better
or will help God love us more. It is actually quite ridiculous to think that the more shame
and guilt we feel the more forgiven we are.
Ps. 103:10-14 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according
to our iniquities. 11For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy
toward those who fear Him; 12as far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed
our transgressions from us. 13As a father pities (has compassion, NIV) his children, so the
LORD pities those who fear Him. 14For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are
dust. (NKJV)
When sincere lovers of Christ stumble due to weakness or immaturity, they often hold it
against themselves for months or even years. When we ask for forgiveness, the Lord
forgives us instantly. His tenderness towards us far surpasses our own. The enemy works
overtime against the revelation of God’s mercy so we won’t accept His full forgiveness and
accept His tender mercy towards us.

PRAYER and MEDITATION

1. Thank God for His never ending mercy towards you and that He forgives us every time
    we repent.
2. Ask God if you are too hard on yourself, whether you are trapped by condemnation or
    whether shame and guilt have a grip on you. Ask Him to show you a specific example.
3. Write a prayer to God telling Him that you have accepted His forgiveness and that you
    want to live in freedom from guilt. Ask Him to show you how much He loves you and to
    show you the depth of His mercy towards you.