“Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.” Psalm 51:1 NLT
God owes David no favours; nor does He owe us any favours. David realizes he is bankrupt. He begins his prayer: “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions” (verse 1, NIV). “Mercy” means “be gracious, pity, a heartfelt response by someone who has something to give to one who has a need.” Here it is a plea to the Lord to “be gracious”. David asks for this mercy based on God’s well-known character qualities of steadfast love and compassion. “Unfailing love” (NIV), “lovingkindness” (KJV) and “steadfast love” (NRSV) are the translations from the common Hebrew noun hesed. In the mid-twentieth century many scholars saw the word as expressing loyalty within a covenant. But the word is more than that. It also carries ideas of love, faithfulness, good-heartedness, kindness. The KJV translation of “lovingkindness” may be a pretty accurate translation. “Compassion” (NIV), “tender mercies” (KJV) and “mercy” (NRSV) represent the Hebrew noun, “tender mercy, compassion”. The root word “refers to deep love, usually of a ‘superior’ for an ‘inferior’ rooted in some ‘natural’ bond.” Have we come to realize how bankrupt we are, and in need of the Lord’s deep and unfailing love? This deep, unfailing love has been expressed fully in the birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.
PRAYER THOUGHT
Lord, thank You for Your deep and unfailing love for us in Jesus.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord, help us to realize how bankrupt we are so that we will grasp how in need we are of Your deep and unfailing love as expressed fully in the birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. AMEN
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)
Acts 16:19-39
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