Grace Notes – Gracious Mercy

“Be gracious and merciful to me, O Lord, For to You I cry out all the day long.
 Make Your servant rejoice, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul [all that I am—in prayer], For You, O Lord, are good, and ready to forgive [our trespasses, sending them away, letting them go completely and forever]; and You are abundant in mercy and loving-kindness to all those who call upon You.Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; and listen to the cry of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, For You will answer me.”

                                    Psalm 86:3-7 AMP

Grace Perspective: 

    The Lord is good for so many reasons and in this Psalm King David reminds us of God’s mercy. God is ready and willing to forgive our sin, all our sin. Not only is He prepared to forgive our sin, He sends them away, letting them go completely and forever. He will never remind us of them. Rejoice! God’s mercy is abundant, overflowing, removing the stain of sin and giving us joy instead of sorrow.

    Once we receive the gift of forgiveness, we can be confident that the Lord will hear our prayers. God will listen our heart’s cry when come to Him and He will answer. The key to hearing His reply is knowing that whether the answer is “yes”, “no”, “soon”, “not now”, or “be patient and wait”, our response is to trust that He abounds in gracious mercy.

 A Touch of Grace: 

   How has God been merciful to you?

   What prayer will you lift to the Lord today?

Grace Application: 

   The Lord is ready to hear our hearts when we cry out to Him. We can cry out to Him as we endure the trials and tests this life brings. He will listen to us and respond to our pleas for forgiveness, help, mercy, peace, strength, wisdom…whatever is causing us to be anxious, fearful, or unsettled.

     This year, 2020, has brought troubles we could never have imagined. COVID 19 has changed our lives, and for many people, anxiety has risen to a new level. Fear of getting the virus, actually getting the virus, losing loved ones to the virus, social distancing, wearing masks, lost income, quarantining, isolation….the list could go on and on.

    Where do we turn? Who can we cry out to? Where will we find mercy and grace? In Christ, Jesus, through prayer.

    Prayer connects us to the Lord.  We can rejoice that we’re not left alone to figure out how to deal with the troubles life brings. We can lift up our soul to Him, whatever state it may be in at the moment; He’s ready to pour out His mercy and loving-kindness when we call on Him. Prayer is a lifeline that anchors our souls to our Savior, and His gracious mercy binds us to Him in a day of trouble. Call on Him today, and wait. He promises to answer.

Prayer: 

 Gracious Father, You are merciful and gracious beyond measure. I lift up my soul to You today, crying out about (______________________). Thank You for forgiving my sin. I confess that I (__________________) and rejoice in that Your mercy covers my sin and You send it away forever. Lord, help me to turn away from my sin and stay connected to You.  I praise You for Your gracious mercy that sent Jesus Christ to die for my sin. Help me to be quick to confess my sin and call on You in the day of trouble.  May You be glorified in my llife. In the precious name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, Amen.

**Today, as you read this, I pray each of you will know for sure you are in Christ Jesus. If you have any doubts, please call out to God, so all doubt may be erased. Today is a good day to be assured of salvation in Christ Jesus. If you have any questions, please contact me at graceisdawning@gmail.com**