Seek Mercy before Running Hard

[S] Romans 9:16 --
16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.

[O] In the end, God has the last saying.  This is a universal truth which is not always accepted by man, including myself.  I can try to do it all but without God's mercy they will only lead to vanity.

[A] In everything I do, I need to seek His mercy first and put my actions into the right perspective before His throne.  That's what I have to remember in my workplace, the current crisis our family is facing, and how I want to live the rest of my life.

[P] Dear God, before I make the plans to run toward my goals may my heart reach for Your wonderful mercy and first soak it up fully so that all that I do will be under Your mercy -- my attitude, my energy, and my purpose.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

His Nevertheless Mercy

[S] Ezekiel 16:60-63 --
 ⁶⁰"Nevertheless, I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you.
 ⁶¹"Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed when you receive your sisters, both your older and your younger; and I will give them to you as daughters, but not because of your covenant.
 ⁶²"Thus I will establish My covenant with you, and you shall know that I am the LORD,
 ⁶³so that you may remember and be ashamed and never open your mouth anymore because of your humiliation, when I have forgiven you for all that you have done," the Lord GOD declares.

[O] This last section of Ezekiel 16 starts with that powerful "Nevertheless" because up to this point, God's been explaining how His people totally messed up and there was no reason for Him to shed any light of hope for the people.  However, nevertheless, He is going to stick to His promises made to His people and out of His grace and mercy He will provide hope to His people such that they would know that He is their Lord God.  Why does He do this when He could've just wiped them off the face of the earth?  Well, if He did that, then I wouldn't be here writing this either, huh?!

[A] Don't abuse His grace and mercy, but as says in verse 63, I should humbly obey and follow His ways, not boasting in any way because I truly do not deserve this "second chance."  Especially when doing His ministry stay humble and pray foremost whenever faced with challenges.

[P] Dear God, Your "nevertheless" grace and mercy just blow me away.  May I not test Your mercy by totally surrendering my life and walk with You through obedience.  I love You, Lord!  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

My Wills vs. God's Mercy

[S] Romans 9:16 --  ¹⁶So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.

[O] The two words "wills" and "mercy" contrasts each other because the "wills" described man's own efforts while "mercy" referred to God's offering regardless of man's efforts (good or bad). So, why am I trying so hard to live out my Christian life?  Yes, I should try my best to do that, but is there a way I can over do this beyond what pleases God?  From this verse, I find that if I am not under God's mercy, then my will-power and efforts alone will not produce the results that pleases God, or even impact the world in any way.  Today's passage is connected to yesterday's verse where emphasizing leaning on God's offerings first is crucial in living out my life which will please God and also to become the effective conduit for achieving His purposes on earth.

[A] As I face some significant changes in the small group ministry at our church, God's been whispering into my ears through these passages that He's (still) in control and not what I do but how much I lean on Him will make the difference in the end.  I will lean on Him 100%, each and every day.

[P] Dear God, Your awesome timing of encouragement is just blowing me away.  Thank You and I will continue to abide and lean on You. Please carry me through as I do that.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.