Today’s Encouragement is, “O my God, lean down and listen to me. Open your eyes and see our despair. See how your city-the city that bears your name-lies in ruins. We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of your mercy.” Daniel 9:18 NLT
Your Mercy –
Daniel prayed to the Lord, asking Him to have mercy on the people of Israel. They had rebelled against Him (v9), turned away, and refused to listen to Him (v11), and now were suffering terribly because of their choices.
So Daniel prayed. He cried out in repentance and humility, this lengthy, powerful prayer, and he closes with a critical recognition. He prayed, asking for help because of God’s mercy, not because the people deserved help. They didn’t. And we don’t. They never could; we never can. No human deserves the mercy of God, no matter what we might think. But His mercy, which is new every morning (Lamentations 3:23), isn’t dependent on our behavior.
God chooses. “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy.” (Romans 9:15) God’s immeasurable mercy and His love are available to us, His people, at all times. We never deserve it; He gives freely to His own because He is good. We accept it, believe it, and trust Him.
Our external circumstances may not immediately or ever change; these are not the issue. Our right-standing with God, our relationship with Him is the critical point. And His mercy, not our behavior, determines the outcome.
Father, we accept Your mercy, Your gift to us, undeserving as we are. Help us now to rest in, trust in, and remain in Your mercy.
Your Mercy
Paul Baloche
https://youtu.be/Uqb9qWLnXD8?is=ZVRVrcJFhK6bjPgc