Psalm 103:8
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in mercy.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are our gracious God and Lord; thank you for being so compassionate and loving that you have not destroyed us because of our sins. Every day we fail to maintain the perfection you demand from us; we constantly sin in loveless acts towards you and others. Not only our words and actions convict us, but so do our thoughts; on our own, there is nothing good that comes from us. Yet, you are a compassionate and gracious God who is slow to anger and abounding in mercy, but that does not give us a license to sin or do whatever we wish. Out of your love for us, you served justice the only way you could by punishing your Son in our place; although he was innocent, he took all our sin with him, and you set your righteous anger against him. As Isaiah wrote, “but it was because of our rebellion that he was pierced. He was crushed for the guilt our sins deserved. The punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds, we are healed.” Thank you for loving us who were the unlovable and forgiving us all our sins so that we will be in paradise with you one day because of your love and mercy. Amen
Pastor Roger Emmons
Because of our corrupt natures, we cannot fully understand God’s perfect love and patience for us, but that does not mean it is not there.