THANKFUL

Friday, May 3, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Thank You for not giving up on us, Lord. After ignoring You and doing our own thing, after we’ve thoroughly messed up everything and our world is crumbling around us, after we have come to our senses and return to You, we find Your arms are wide open, waiting to embrace Your wayward kids. “I love you,” we hear You whisper. “I never changed my mind about you, Come, let’s continue on.”

In our flawed ways of thinking, we can’t understand why You don’t just wash Your hands of us, as You watch generation after generation, for thousands of years, reject You. We’re grateful Your thoughts are not our thoughts, Your ways higher than our ways. You love us with an immense  love that our finite minds struggle to grasp. Why You give second, third, fourth—endless chances—to Your repentant followers to get it right with You only demonstrates Your grace that we don’t deserve. The wayward Psalmist voiced his heart’s deepest sorrow, crying for mercy when he acknowledged his sins, Do not cast me from Your presence, or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation (Psalm 51:11–12). You are an amazing God, full of mercy for all who call upon You with a sincere heart. Thank You for always taking us back.

Forgive our sins. Heal our nation. Let us return to You, as a nation and individually, in repentance.

Thank You heavenly Father for never changing Your mind about us.

Jesus is Lord, Amen.