This Isn’t the Post I Planned to Write

O.k. So, I am just going to be candid here. I actually had two other posts juggling about, wondering which one to post today.

But then I sat down and did devotions.  And for some reason, time with God always redirects our focus.

It was then, I was stopped by the goodness of His mercies. It was there, He took my path and ordained His steps for this message.

I don’t know about you today friends, but I have made some really big mistakes in this life I have lived.  I have not only “accidentally” slipped up, but there was a time I ran, full head, straight off the diving board into sin.

It was then I wasn’t the least little bit repentant, apologetic, or remorseful for what I was doing.  I had tried adding up my righteousness in light of God and eternity, and always came up short…so I ran to the world instead.

But like Joseph….God never leaves us clawing at the walls of our own circumstances. 

Today, as I sat before the Lord in quiet, He reminded me of His mercies.  Soon, I was overcome by all the goodness God has lavished one me these past two decades…love unexpected that I was so not deserving of….

• I deserved hopelessnes, but He gave me hope.
• I deserved darkeness, but He offered me the light of His presence.
• I deserved pain and suffering as my consequences, but His mercy offered me goodness instead.
• I deserved sorrow, but He has given me joy.
• I deserved anguish, but His peace now fills my soul.
• I deserved debt, but He has freed me from the weight of my sin.
• I deserved death, but instead He gave me life everlasting.
• I deserved guilt and condemnation, but He resurrection a freedom unearned from my repentance.

And today, as I sat before the Lord, I just felt there are others of you out there who possibly could be living staring at the scale, still trying to weigh your works to earn goodness in the sight of God.

But dear friends, scripture tells us….freely He has given, freely we can receive His mercy, goodness, and love. He throws our sins in the deepest ocean, He looks on us with only love. He paid the price and His blood frees us from any debt payable for what we have done.

Have you ever been to the ocean? 

I don’t know about you, but I love taking off my shoes, finding a big stick and writing in the sand.  I write message like, “I love you” or fancy hearts, or crazy pictures that I know will be washed away as soon as the tide rises once again.

But daily, another tries to write upon the sand of our hearts.  He doesn’t send messages of love, but of guilt and condemnation.  He will say things like, “You failed again”, “You will never measure up”, or “You will never be good enough”.

But guess what?  Even if at times he is right (apart from Christ we will never find perfection)……that is not the end of the story! 

Scripture tells us that upon accepting Christ, we are not our own anymore. And that means, we don’t have to look upon our own worth….but instead can clothe ourselves in HIS grace, His mercy, and His acceptance.

Aren’t you glad the tide of His love washes away the lies the enemy tries to place in our minds? 

Today, another writes your story for all to see.  But He doesn’t write on perishable sand…He writes on stone that says, “You are His”, “You are loved”, “You are a precious, chosen, beloved child of God”, and “His blood is enough for all of your sins”.

As I open up scripture today, I read about mercy.  Mercy is linked with compassion, truth, faithfulness, and goodness.  Mercy is the freeing of our lives from the misery of our disobedience.

I don’t know about you friend, but maybe today you are weighed down by guilt and condemnation?  Maybe your children have gone astray, maybe people have failed you, or maybe the sins of the past keep trying to write in the sand your offenses, that “religion” is useless, or that God isn’t really needed.

But oh friends, these are lies.  Pure, bold-faced lies.  Our identity is not based on how “good” we have been….but on our willingness to trust in HIS free gift of righteousness.  It is there we will find…

• His mercy is the bridge to to healing, the hope of our redemption.
• His mercy is the glue that keeps you tied close to Him even when you make bad choices.
• His mercy is the Father’s heart, the emotional yearning for a people who have gone astray….

And if He can come after me.  If He can forgive me.  If He can restore and redeem and deliver and set free my life….I promise you, without a doubt….He can do the same for you.

Will you hold onto these words from scripture with me today?

Lamentations 3:22
“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed.  Because His compassion’s fail not.  They are new every morning; Great if Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion’, says my should. ‘Therefore I hop in Him’. The Lord is good to those who wait on Him, to the soul who seeks Him.” 

What lies in your life do you need washed away today?  How might you let His eraser of mercy take hold of your life afresh like never before?  Where do you need the Lord to show you that in Him there is freedom and no condemnation?  How can I  pray for you today, so that you might walk in the fullness Christ intended?

Thanks for hearing my heart today!  I pray that these words might bless you, as He has imprinted them upon my heart to write them today~!