WOYWW: God’s Mercy

Starting on my Bible page for today

“Let us fall by the hand of God, for He is most merciful...” 2 Samuel 24:14

Although the beginning of this chapter is confusing, we see a side of David that shows why he is a man after God’s own heart. He knows His God, and knows he sinned against Him, and is willing to take the consequences. God asks David to choose among three punishments, and David says He will choose to fall by God’s hand for His mercies are great. “Do not let me fall into human hands!” David pleaded in desperation. We know well what man without a conscience is capable of! 

I was listening to a question and answer portion after a talk on suffering this morning. A lady came to the microphone and said, “Two years ago, I pleaded with God to give me His heart. Since then my husband and I experienced a series of heartbreaks. Today I had a CT scan because of a suspicious nodule in my chest x-ray. My breathing has worsened. I am still suffering from MS for over 30 years. Why has our suffering escalated since praying this prayer?”

We are either suffering or know someone who is suffering. When we suffer, Christ is one with us in our suffering. He is the source of every mercy and He comforts us in our affliction (2 Cor. 1:3-4). I believe suffering can be redemptive. When I was afflicted with Pemphigus Vulgaris and Deep Vein Thrombosis, God taught me so much. In suffering, we can be one with Christ, and we can have his heart for others. I am deeply grateful for healing, and I am even more grateful that I can talk and eat without pain, that I do not have to wear those hot and tight stockings every day. Our pains and challenges are a unique opportunity to know God better, and to increase our love and compassion for others. It can also bring us to gratefulness and joy if we open ourselves up to God’s grace, healing and mercy.