Giving Thanks for Mercy We Receive

Giving Thanks for Mercy We Receive

Giving thanks for mercy we receive is a great antidote for three attitudes: self-importance, self-pity, and feeling useless. Why? For self-importance, mercy either in interpersonal interactions or during some disruptive event, fixes our awareness on the fact we aren’t completely independent or self-sufficient. We can’t do everything on our own. We were made to be interdependent.

Giving thanks for mercy we receive develops and extends change in our characters.

King Saul expended much energy and wrath pursuing David, because Saul was jealous of the praise people gave David for his success in battle. David had a prime opportunity to assassinate Saul, but instead sliced a corner from his robe. Afterward, following David’s confession of this act, Saul expressed temporary remorse. He did not thank God, or David for sparing his life, and we know this, because it wasn’t long before Saul resumed his pursuit.

God mercifully short-circuited Elijah’s self-pity, giving him an opportunity to anoint his successor, and two kings who would end Ahab’s reign and Jezebel’s influence over Israel. Because God intervened, Elijah learned he was not alone, but that seven thousand other Israelites had also refused to worship Baal.

Rainbow

Giving thanks for mercy we receive is not only a fitting reaction, it also pleases God.

I don’t want to mimic the nine non-returning lepers. When we respond with praise, it becomes an attractive part of our witness to others. We fulfill the Great Commission Jesus set us, and our words hint at what we’ll do with eternal life, when we join the other saints and the angels to the praise of His glory.

I’m grateful for everyone who reads this blog on social media. However, if you fear missing out, fill in the blanks on the Subscribe form in the upper right sidebar. Posts will automatically appear in your email.