Today’s devotional reading: Deuteronomy 30:1-10

There is no greater testimony of God’s love than the mercy He shows us. We often overlook God’s mercy, but consider where you would be without it. In our nature, we are sinful creatures who, in every breath we take, could both knowingly or unknowingly move opposite to God’s way. Does the Lord condemn us in that moment? Does the Lord abandon us in that moment? No. God remains faithful.

Does the Lord grow angry and disappointed with us when we sin? Absolutely. The Lord rebukes our sin, rather than tolerate them. There is a consequence to every decision we make, and God permits us to suffer the consequence of our sinful decisions. Jesus said that the Father is like a vinedresser who prunes our dead parts – our sinful parts. The chastening of the Lord is certainly not pleasant for us.

However, as Jesus said, the Lord takes away our dead (sinful) parts so that the parts that are living can keep on growing and flourishing. David said it best when he sang that God’s anger is but for a moment, as joy will come in the morning (Ps. 30:4-5).

Though we live in this sinful world, our God is a forgiving God. Where others may give up on you because of your faults and errors, the Lord will lift you from your sin. Sin holds us hostage in chains, but God frees us from its chains and esteems us to be righteous. One day, all of us who have believed will be gathered to Him and rejoice in His kingdom for everlasting life.

So, I ask you, what is there that is greater than the mercy and love of God?