Merciful and Gracious

Patterning myself after Jesus is a slow and disciplined process. Every time I feel like the road becomes easy, I get "tripped up" and realize this is a lifelong journey. Thankfully, the Lord is merciful and gracious. I certainly don't deserve His mercy but isn't that what grace is all about? I've been reading about Jonah's anger with the Lord's mercy toward the Ninevites. Have I felt that someone deserved God's wrath and when they repented and God relented, was I, like Jonah, angry too? Oh, how these stories keep pointing back in my direction so I can no longer judge. Yes, the path to becoming like Jesus is difficult, but by God's grace, I'm walking steadily forward.

Lord, make me merciful and gracious, abounding in love! (Psalm 103)