Do you remember this children’s song?
Care for the hands, mouth, eyes, ears… All teaching us to be careful what things we involve ourselves with, because there is a Father up above who is looking down in love.
What is your view of the Father? Some think of him as a stern judge simply looking for an opportunity to dispense justice. Others think of him as a doting parental figure that gently guides us day by day. Still, others live a confused life thinking of him as big brother, always spying into our lives.
Regardless of your view, a thought came to me early. Part of it is a result of a tweet, another is this view of God.
The Tweet:
“Angry people have good memories; They never forget perceived wrongs
Angry people have poor memories; They never recall received mercies” ~@RevKenGurley
The View from Scripture:
It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. (Lamentations 3:22 KJV)
The Reconciliation:
We are made in his image and fashioned in such a way that we have had the freedom to choose life the way we want to experience it. Whether it be Judas (Matthew 26:14, 25, 47), Demas (2Timothy 4:10), or the Prodigal (Luke 15:11-32), there are those who make certain choices and must pay the consequences of their chosen path. We have all chosen a path that will lead us to certain destination.
But God’s mercies are never consumed so much that they will ever fail! Just like his Grace that is constantly affirmed in the New Testament of being without end, so too the mercies of God will never cease… That is, until we cease.
Here’s how I chose to live:
For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:15-16 KJV)
What happened to me just moments ago, his mercy and grace covers me with an abundance of love. This is what Lot found as he fled the vile cities of the well watered plains.
Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; … (Genesis 19:19 KJV)
He chose his pathway, but Abram negotiated with God for his ultimate salvation from the sins of those cities that existed in the plains of Jordan.
This begs an answer to this question: Are you renewing your life with God daily? Who is negotiating in your favor today? Life can be long, or short. There may not be as much time as you think to prepare for the ending. What choices are you making right now?
Praying for you!