Intro: Sometimes, as human beings, we get fixated on the shortcomings of other people in our lives. We can spend more time staring at the negatives than the positives in others. It would be amazing if we could be perfectly faithful to God and loving to everyone around us, but without the help of the Holy Spirit we are a sinful people with a selfish nature. Most of the time we have expectations for others that we cannot live up to ourselves. We need to learn more from Christ about mercy, because mercy is characteristic of life in the Kingdom. Refusing to give other people mercy is a sign of unbelief and rejection of God. So, be generous with mercy—forgiveness, compassion, and kindness.
In our passage today, David writes about the faithfulness of God and his focus is perfectly fixed on the amazing character of our God. There has been nor will there ever be any human being that can match the faithfulness of God to love his children. God pours out love, grace, and mercy on his children every moment. He wants to help us emulate his character in order to reflect his glory. I believe most of the time we expect people to give us what only God can provide. We must remember to extend mercy to those around us and realize the fountain of God’s love is there to satisfy us.
Psalm 36:5-10 NLT
5
Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.
6
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the ocean depths.
You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.
7
How precious is your unfailing love, O God!
All humanity finds shelter
in the shadow of your wings.
8
You feed them from the abundance of your own house,
letting them drink from your river of delights.
9
For you are the fountain of life,
the light by which we see.
10
Pour out your unfailing love on those who love you;
give justice to those with honest hearts.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the mercy you continuously extend to me. I need your forgiveness, so I must give mercy and forgiveness to others. Please teach me more each day about kingdom life, because all your children are to be a conduits of your mercy to the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.