Merciful and gracious is the Lord,
slow to anger,
abounding in mercy.
Psalm 103:8
Merciful and Gracious is the Lord – Psalm 103:8
Merciful and gracious is the Lord,
slow to anger, abounding in mercy.
Reflection
Do you know what mercy means? The definition of mercy is to show compassion or forgiveness toward someone when it is within that person’s power and authority to punish or take away. We tend to skim over this miracle-working word when referring to the nature of God, but we shouldn’t. The Lord’s outpouring of mercy in our lives is the grace which opens the doorway to supernatural blessing and breakthrough even while we are underserving.
God shows us His mercy every single day. We know this because despite our sinful nature, He has still graced us with all that we have including waking up this morning. Think about all you have in your life today. The roof over your head, transportation, family, friends, job, that vacation you took, or perhaps the promotion you received … all of it is a gift from God. All of it. Think about the level of love that is. When was the last time you were abundantly merciful to someone who constantly rebelled and sinned against you? It is not easy. But for God it is because that is the very essence of His divine nature. Being all merciful and all love is not what God does — it is who He is. And that is why we praise and honor Him even in the most difficult of times.
No matter what you are going through today, look up to the sky and say: “Thank You, Jesus! Thank You for loving me and showing me kindness even when I do not deserve it. I may be going through a lot right now, but I know I can trust in Your mercy. Lord Jesus, I trust in You.” My friend, that is one powerful prayer. That single act of devotion moves the hand of God in ways you cannot imagine. When we abound in gratitude for what He has done, acknowledging even the smallest of merciful gestures, He promises to do even more. We can never out-give our Lord! So take a few moments today and recount all that God has done and is doing in your life. As you praise Him from the valley, open your arms for the blessing and prepare for the breakthrough.
“Merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger, abounding in mercy” – Psalm 103:8.
For Reflection
[Excerpt from The Diary of Sr. Faustina – A message from Jesus]“I am love and mercy itself (Diary entry, 1074). … Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet (699). … My mercy is greater than your sins, and those of the entire world. … I let My Sacred Heart be pierced with a lance, thus opening wide the source of mercy for you. Come then with trust to draw graces from this fountain (1485). … The graces of My mercy are drawn by the means of one vessel only, and that is trust. The more a soul trusts, the more it will receive” (1578) – The Lord Jesus to Sr. Faustina; Diary of Sr. Faustina.
“It seems that only God can know the truth; it is to Him alone we must appeal, and from Him alone expect mercy” – Leo Tolstoy.
Prayer
Lord, sometimes we don’t feel like we deserve Your compassion, and yet, just as with the Prodigal Son, You continue to love us with Your whole Being. Instead of feeling guilty about our shortcomings, help us to reflect solely on Your goodness so that we may grow in gratitude, accepting the outpouring of Your daily grace and mercy, and turn from our sin. We ask also, Lord, for the grace of added mercy to extend unto others. Remind us that freely have we been given by You, so freely must we give to our brethren also (Matt. 10:8). We pray this all in Your good and Holy Name, Amen.
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