Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
January 2, 2025
Psalm 103:1-8
1 Let my whole being bless the LORD! Let everything inside me bless his holy name! 2 Let my whole being bless the LORD and never forget all his good deeds: 3 how God forgives all your sins, heals all your sickness, 4 saves your life from the pit, crowns you with faithful love and compassion, 5 and satisfies you with plenty of good things so that your youth is made fresh like an eagle’s. 6 The LORD works righteousness; does justice for all who are oppressed. 7 God made his ways known to Moses; made his deeds known to the Israelites. 8 The LORD is compassionate and merciful, very patient, and full of faithful love.
Good Morning. Bless the Lord, O my soul!
Despite our human failings, God is compassionate, merciful, very patient, and full of faithful love with us. I once had a friend and co-teacher who warned that praying for patience is dangerous because God will give you opportunities to learn patience. Patience with others and even ourselves can be difficult at times.
For example, when we are working on a project, and we discover we did a section backward, and have to take it apart and try again. It is easy to give up after a big mistake, but there is so much to be gained from trying again. I believe that for every challenge we work through, the blessings that follow dwarf the angst of the frustration.
We are called to share compassion, mercy, patience, and faithful love with all God’s children. This is rarely an easy task because, in our situation, both the giver and receiver are flawed. We are trying to show mercy to others who, in turn, show no mercy and patience with those who have none of their own.
Jesus taught this in the Parable of the Wicked Servant.
“The king summoned the man and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. Shouldn’t you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?’ The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt. And that’s exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn’t forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy.”
The Good News is that despite our failed efforts, God is infinitely patient with our attempts to share all our blessings and love with others no matter how many times we must try before we get it right.
Gracious Lord, Maker of all things! Help us to work through our challenges as we work to share our blessings with others. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God transforms the hearts of those who accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Bless the Lord who saves us from our afflictions! Pastor Liz
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