December 31, 2017 -- Psalm 5:7 Returning to the God of Many Mercies

But as for me, I will come into Your house

in the multitude of Your mercy;

In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.

Psalm 5:7 NKJV

When someone has wronged us, we are very likely to hold it over their heads. We stew over it. We think: "That so-and-so had better grovel if he wants me to forgive this!"

What a sharp and wondrous contrast the Psalmist paints of God's response to our rebellion and multitudes of wrongs. The LORD of Glory has multitudes of mercy, of forgiveness, of awaiting kindness--more than enough to cover all our wrongs and sins and rebellions against Him. In fact, all our sins have been punished and been borne by the Person of Jesus Christ. God sees us through Jesus.

No wonder the Psalmist experiences the fear of the LORD. This is utterly beyond our experience. No one in our world forgives so extravagantly! God our LORD alone is worthy of worship and praise.

Get to church today. Explore what it means that the One Who created You has also provided a way for you to get to know Him.

Lord of many mercies, when someone new comes to church today, help me to be welcoming. Lord of extravagant forgiveness, when someone who has offended me, enters church today, in view of the rich mercies poured out on me in Christ, let Your forgiveness flow from Your throne over me and that person so that in Christ we are reconciled. Spirit, stir up my friends and family members to end this year and begin the new by returning not just to church, but by returning to joyful relationship with You, the triune God. Amen.