January 26, 2023 7:00 pm
One of consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic was the docking of cruise ships and the quarantining of passengers. The Wall Street Journal featured an article that included interviews of some of the tourists. Commenting about how being quarantined provided more opportunities for conversations, one passenger joked how his spouse—who possessed an excellent memory—was able to bring up every transgression he ever had and sensed she wasn’t done yet!
Accounts like this make us smile, remind us of our humanness, and serve to caution us if we’re prone to hold too tightly to the things we should release. What helps us to be kindly disposed to those who hurt us? Glimpses of our great God, as He’s portrayed in passages like Psalm 103:8–12.
The Message’s rendering of verses 8–10 is noteworthy: “God is sheer mercy and grace; not easily angered, he’s rich in love. He doesn’t endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever. He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.” Asking for God’s help as we prayerfully read Scripture can cause us to have second thoughts about ill-conceived payback or plans to punish. And it can prompt prayers for ourselves and for those we may be tempted to harm by withholding grace, mercy, and forgiveness.
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Welcome to today's encouragement from your friends at Our Daily Bread. The devotional writer for today is Arthur Jackson, and he's given us Mercy for You. One of the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic was the docking of cruise ships and the quarantining of passengers.
The Wall Street Journal featured an article that included interviews of some of the tourists. Commenting about how being quarantined provided more opportunities for conversations, one passenger joked how his spouse, who possessed an excellent memory, was able to bring up every transgression he ever had and sensed she wasn't done yet. Accounts like this may make us smile, remind us of our humanness, and serve to caution us if we are prone to hold too tightly to the things we should release. Yet, what helps us to be kindly disposed to those who hurt us? Glimpses of our great God, as he's portrayed in passages like Psalm 103 verses 8-12. The messages rendering of verses 8-10 is noteworthy. God is sheer mercy and grace, not easily angered.
He's rich in love. He doesn't endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever. He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs. Asking for God's help as we prayerfully read scripture can cause us to have second thoughts about ill-conceived payback or plans to punish. And it can prompt prayers for ourselves and for those we may be tempted to harm by withholding grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Hear the word of the Lord. This is today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading, Psalm 103 verses 8-12. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Join me in this simple word of prayer. God of mercy, kindness, and forgiveness, would you please help us to extend grace and mercy to those who've caused us pain. And it's in Jesus' name that we pray, amen. Thanks for listening in today. My name is Wes Ward, and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.
Whisper: medium.en / 2023-01-26 20:46:21 / 2023-01-26 20:47:45 / 1
