Daily Devotion-September 19, 2023

Daily Devotion-September 19, 2023

Psalm 103:11-13

Yes, as high as the heavens are above the earth, so powerful is his mercy toward those who fear him. As distant as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our rebellious acts from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.

Dear Heavenly Father,

These verses are such marvelous words that you have given us to visualize the power and vastness of your love and mercy. We must realize what your mercy is: it is not receiving the eternal condemnation that is ours for each sin we commit; instead of the endless suffering we should get, you deliver to us the eternal hope and promise of heaven. So, while this is for everybody, it is only provided to those who believe in You. Jesus said no one comes to You without trusting in Him. So we ask that you strengthen our faith in Jesus to hold on to the forgiveness He won for us on the cross so that we confidently know our sins are forgiven.

These words give us a visual of your mercy: as high as the heavens are above the earth. We look up at space, and it appears to go on and on, just as your mercy; it can never be overcome; we can never out-sin your love and forgiveness. Moreover, because of Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross, he has removed our sins as far as the east is from the west; these two directions will never meet. So, any guilt or shame we might have for all the rebellious things we have done, Jesus has taken into himself and removed forever.

Through all this, we see the compassion you have for us. For most earthly fathers’ compassion is this: a desire for their children to be transformed into someone extraordinary, having satisfaction in what they do, loving to lift them when they are in trouble and fall, and forgiving them when they make bad decisions. All this and more are your compassion for those who believe and trust in you. Let us share your mercy, forgiveness, and compassion with those who do not know you so that by faith, they will fear, love, and trust you. Amen.

Written through Pastor Roger Emmons

Visualizing and getting an image of God’s mercy and love helps to see its magnitude. However, it also lets you see how undeserving you are, making God’s love even more excellent.