Psalm 36:7-9
How precious is your mercy, O God! So all people find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They are satisfied by the rich food of your house. You let them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life. In your light, we see light.
Dear Heavenly Father,
It is no secret that on this earth, we can suffer from all the challenges of living in this sin-filled land; sickness and diseases ravage our bodies. While we also suffer the effects of our sinful desires, which cause our relationships to hurt with the guilt and shame of what we said and did. We need your forgiveness for those things.
In these verses, You promise us refuge in the shadow of your wings, where we can find comfort and be fed from you. In your mercy, you deliver what we need to be satisfied; you sent Christ to us. In Your word, we find forgiveness for all our sins for all those things we have done to cause problems with those we love. You also provide us with healing from all that ravages our bodies. At times, according to Your goodwill, you restore our bodies from the effects of sin in this life, and if not now, in eternity, these bodies are raised anew and restored to eternal life.
You sent Your Son; Jesus is the bread of life, the living water, and the light of the world. So that whoever believes in him and trusts in the forgiveness he won on the cross will have everlasting life. Your mercy is this: we deserved eternal condemnation in hell for each of our sins, but Jesus took every sin into himself. So in place of condemnation, he has forgiven us, given us, his perfection, and suffered the punishment of death for us, so we have life, and this is our refuge.
Allow us to share our hope of refuge with those not knowing you. Let us share your mercy with them so they, too, will come to know you and your love for them, that they will dine at your table, drink from your fountain, and bask in your light for eternity. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
Know, trust, and believe in God’s mercy for you; he delivers it to you by faith in his Son. Jesus has forgiven you and given you a refuge from all your sins.