Mercy Makes Me Worthy!

Titus 3:4-6 (NLT) – When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.

I sat in my living room the other night, brought to tears from my own sin and where it had taken me, with the realization that I was completely unworthy of God’s presence. As I began to ask for forgiveness, the beautiful gift of His mercy overwhelmed me. How can someone so unworthy be able to be in the presence of someone so holy? I wanted to hide under my recliner and not accept His forgiveness because I felt so pitifully inadequate. I kept asking God to break me, to undo my spirit, and half expected Him to reject my pleas. I went on like this for a while and His still, small voice broke through and said, “Christy, the moment you asked for forgiveness, you were forgiven. All I require is one step back towards Me and I’m there with the love and acceptance you need.” This brought into full view the amazing gift of God’s Mercy.

I started researching mercy and the first thing I found was the Google definition: “compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.” God has the power to punish us when we fail Him, but for His children He inevitable chooses mercy. If that doesn’t make you want to fall down and worship Him, I’m not sure what else would make you bend your knee. This incredible gift of mercy is indescribable. Unless you have experienced it firsthand, you have no idea what freedom it brings. It’s the kind of freedom that could make you think, “Oh well, I can just do whatever I want.” However, for the bride of Christ, the gratitude we feel for this precious gift is what keeps us from living that lie.

When I am doing what God is asking me to do, and I am where He wants me to be in my relationship with Him, I tend to take mercy for granted. It’s as if it’s somewhere in the background and I don’t give it much thought. On the other hand, when I mess up, when I am so far from Him that I don’t recognize myself, that is when I am abundantly aware of just how miraculous God’s mercy is and how absolutely necessary it is in my life. Even now, hints of the truth that I am so ridiculously unworthy of His forgiveness creeps into my spirit, and I am reminded, due to Christ shedding His blood on Calvary, this gift is free. I cannot earn it, I cannot lose it, and I cannot hide from it. God’s mercy roams around seeking those who are willing to accept it, even those of us who have been on this journey for awhile. I praise His glorious, holy name that He choose to land His mercy on me. May we always view God’s mercy through child-like wonder and gratitude!