Tender Mercies
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Read Psalm 6
1 O LORD , do not rebuke me in
your anger
or discipline me in your wrath. 2 Be merciful to me, LORD , for I am faint; O LORD , heal me, for my bones are in agony. 3 My soul is in anguish. How long, O LORD , how long? 4 Turn, O LORD , and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. 5 No one remembers you when he is dead. Who praises you from the grave [2] ? 6 I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. 7 My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes. 8 Away from me, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my weeping. 9 The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer. 10 All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed; they will turn back in sudden disgrace (NIV) |
"By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." Luke 1:78-79 (NRSV)
IN September, 1998, my only sister was killed by her husband, who then took his own life. The grief, regret, and heartbreaking sorrow I experienced were beyond belief. Many people reached out to me. Their prayers, notes, and calls provided comfort I desperately needed. But some people disappeared at the time I needed them most because they didn't know what to say or do.
This experience has taught me the importance of letting others know we care and are thinking of them. A myriad of emotions is normal when we are grieving. It's okay to express these emotions, whether we are the griever or the supporter. Compassion shown through a phone call, a card, or a visit is often what the grieving person needs. God's tender compassion is our example. This compassion makes a difference for us, and our compassion can make a difference for others. Rosaleen D. Feeser (North Carolina, U.S.A.)
The consolation we offer to others expresses
God's tender mercy.
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A New Way to Pray
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Read Jeremiah 30:18-22 -
18 "This is what the LORD says: " 'I will restore the fortunes of Jacob's tents and have compassion on his dwellings; the city will be rebuilt on her ruins, and the palace will stand in its proper place. 19 From them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing. I will add to their numbers, and they will not be decreased; I will bring them honor, and they will not be disdained. 20 Their children will be as in days of old, and their community will be established before me; I will punish all who oppress them. 21 Their leader will be one of their own; their ruler will arise from among them. I will bring him near and he will come close to me, for who is he who will devote himself to be close to me?' declares the LORD . 22 " 'So you will be my people, and I will be your God.' " (NIV) |
Everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, provided it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by God's word and by prayer. 1 Timothy 4:4-5
OUR family recently endured a series of troubles. My wife was in the hospital. One of my teenaged daughters was struggling with a series of stubborn infections. Also, people where I work were losing their jobs. All my prayers began with words like, "Please God, help me with. ..."
I knew God wanted me to offer my problems in prayer, but praying began to feel like complaining. And I began to feel hopeless. Finally I asked God for a new way to pray. I looked to the Bible and began to notice how many passages call people to thanksgiving. So I began to pray like this: "Thank you, God, for a wife who loves me and the progress she has made toward health."
"Thank you, God, for the medical treatment my daughter has received."
"Thank you, God, for my job and my co-workers and the resources we have to address our problems."
Then I found myself adding, "Thank you, God, for a new sense of hope." Bob Tippee (Texas, U.S.A.)
Expressing our gratitude builds hope.
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