To the Ends of the Earth: Character – Week 8, Day 3 - Being Frail Means All We Have Comes from God
The LORD is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in mercy.
He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger for ever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
Psalm 103:8–10
Nearly every man has held, is holding, or will hold a grudge against another person at some point in his life. It is part of our fallen nature to want revenge for the wrongs done to us. God, however, is not like us and does not remain angry with his people. If he did, who could stand before him? He is a compassionate Father who is slow to anger, full of mercy, and perfectly loving. He remembers that we are fragile beings, formed out of the dust, a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes (cf. Jas 4:14). Yet God chooses not to remember our sins; and when we repent, he hurls them as far from us as the east is from the west (cf. Ps 103:12).
God’s incredible patience is intimately tied to his mercy. His is an eternal love, a timeless compassion that he pours out on us through his Son. As members of his Mystical Body, we have a deep and personal relationship with God that will never fade or overwhelm our brittle human nature. He stands at the door of our hearts, knocking and waiting with infinite patience for us to invite him in so he can change our lives and set us free to love and serve him and others (cf. Rv 3:20).
Questions for Reflection
Where have you experienced the perfect and infinite mercy of God in your life?
How do you see God’s patient love displayed through the Church and the sacraments?
How can you take that perfect, merciful love and share it with someone else today?
Praying with Scripture
The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in mercy. (Ps 145:8)
You can learn more about the To the Ends of the Earth Series HERE
You can watch and listen to this devotion HERE