September 11, 2021
Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments. Deuteronomy 7:9
We cannot even begin to measure what God wants to accomplish in and through each of us. His purpose is to purify and render each of us holy and righteous and fit for heaven. Our inherited sinful natures have a blinding effect upon “spiritual eyesight,” but take heart! There is not a single detail of your existence — in thought or deed — that escapes the loving scrutiny of the Holy Spirit. When He brings conviction, hand over that thing, whatever it is, to judgement. The moment you are willing, His recreating forces begin the work of the needed change. In a healthy relationship with God, you will recognize His glorious ministry of love in bringing your shortcomings, bad habits — in a word, sin! — into focus. When your eyes are opened, recognition of His mercy comes immediately into view!
A great relationship with God carries with it a powerful positive influence upon others. A thousand generations is not an exaggeration, nor is it meant to express a limit. There is an ongoing rebirth and recreation exerted by the power of God’s Spirit at work, and it is about bringing others along. His love and His mercy are intertwined. Think on His mercy* toward your past, and cooperate with His Spirit to continue bringing you and those around you to the completion which He envisions for all of His children: to be pure, spotless, undefiled.
He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8
Happy Sabbath, Beloved! Ponder the mercy of God today. Here are a few highlights…
*Exodus 15:13; 20:6; 25:17,21 Deuteronomy 5:10, 1 Kings 8:23, 1 Chronicles 16:34, Ezra 3:11;9:9, Nehemiah 1:5, Psalm 5:7; 13:5; 21:7; 23:6; 25:10; 32:10; 59:16; 85:10; 86:5; 94:18; 103:8,11; 119:64,124; 136 (whole chapter), Proverbs 21:21; 28:13, Isaiah 49:13;54:8; 55:7, Jeremiah 33:11, Daniel 9:4,9, Hosea 2:19,23, Jonah 2:8, Matthew 5:7