Mercy: The Lord hears – 12 December 2022

The nation’s supplication, in this verse, split on the distress they experienced. However, elevated high above their distress was God’s love, involvement and intervention in man’s weal and woe. A never-ending refrain dangling out loudly that he is good and that his love is made visible through what he does.

Psalm 106:1-2 celebrates God’s love and goodness as endless; thus, confronting us with this question: “Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord, or declare all his praise?” (Psalm 106:2). Our answer: God, and God alone. And yet, despite his deep knowledge of man’s stubborn wandering heart, he allows us the freedom to choose for ourselves – blocked roads or straight and narrow ones. If one chooses wrongly, one will bear the consequences. And yet, his mercy and forgiveness keep on following us, patiently awaiting our call for help and confession of guilt: “We have sinned, even as our ancestors did; we have done wrong and acted wickedly” (Psalm 106:6, NIV).

This admission moves God’s saving hand. “Yet, he saved them for his name’s sake, to make his mighty power known.” (Psalm 106:8, NIV) Can you see the Father’s endless involvement in the lives of his people? On their behalf, he remembers his covenant and then, from the depth of his immeasurable love, he bestows grace by forgiving us our trespasses.

He introduces himself to unbelievers. In this incidence, it was the pharaoh whom he allowed to revolt against him. The reason? The Lord says to him: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you that my name be proclaimed in all the earth” (Romans 9:17-18, NIV). In our hurried and often self-willed live’s, we should consider pausing more and call on the Lord often, with the expectation to see his power working in us.

God’s promise of love and forgiveness to people who believe in him, is still the power being demonstrated today. You see, Jesus, the Son of God, was the sacrificial price paid to free you, me and every other human being from an eternal death without God.

Prayer: Eternal Most High God, I lift my hands to you, who will be the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. To you, who never say one thing and do another, but stays true to your name and word. Thank you that insignificant people may come into your presence with frank boldness and with the ease of mind that you will listen to the most insignificant; hear his/her call and rush to their help. I praise your awesomeness! Amen