This is a special day in the Jackson family, the birthday of our son. God extended His grace and mercy to us. Married for eleven years, at almost forty years old, God gifted us with a son, and eighteen months later a daughter. Both are gifts we treasure and have given as gifts to the Lord. This Lenten psalm is one of my favorites.
MY PSALM 312 GRACE AND MERCY
Our Father Who art in heaven, We bless You today for giving us forgiveness
Through the immense work of Your Son,Jesus Christ our Lord.
For through His sacrifice, through Your love, We have been forgiven and restored by Your mercy.
Like the rain that refreshes us on a hot summer day, We welcome Your gift that takes us
From desperation to forgiveness to grace.
We did nothing to earn Your merit, In fact, we’ve done everything wrong!
We have broken every commandment, Reversed each Beatitude, neglected the Covenant,
And have wandered like proverbial lost sheep. We’ve been the rich young ruler,
So in love with the world we couldn’t see Yours. We’re still the prodigal son, or the elder one,
Seldom seeing true understanding of Your mercy. We’ve shouted in the crowd, “Hosanna!”
But abandoned, betrayed You on the cross. We’ve said, “I am a true follower of Jesus!”
But failed The Great Commission, Your rallying cry, Your final message
To tell a stranger, or even a friend About how You saved our souls and love them too,
That we own the Good News, the Keys to the Kingdom Yet keep silent, not sharing Your message worldwide.
We trust there is more grace and mercy for us. That You’re not finished with us yet,
You’ll provide Godincidences, opportunities The very words to speak.
You’ll give us breath and life and strength to tell them Ambassadors to nations, tribes, people, tongues
Or bloom us where we’re planted, raise family legacies, Or send us on missions, at home, abroad, each day
We pray You’ll use us always, according to Your will.
We know You will restore excitement, the passion, The fire and zeal we first had when we came,
In eager commitment, totally believing Your plan. We sat at Your feet, learned of You, matured in the faith,Made prayerful, heartfelt promises to do Your will With vigor, intention, Your mission our pure joy.Then life intervened, busy days, mundane excuses And lost, lukewarm, we ignored Ascension Day’s words.
Give us grace and mercy, awake us, shake us, amaze us With fresh insights, church without walls, innovation Without reservation, to shout from rooftops, Or whisper intercession to send forth the Message,In words, songs, texts, messages, conversations, Whatever means You reveal to this generation.
Today, this very day, we pray You will drop on us the dew Of New-Day restoration, renewal, revival, intention
Walking deliberately each moment in Your Presence Knowing You have brought us closer than ever
To our purpose, our privilege to share Who You are To hasten Your Kingdom on earth where we dwell
Preparing for the moment when all knees will bow Knowing You as I do, bringing Glory to Your Name.
Give us strength for the battle You’ve already won, Send us where You want us, to Your Glory and acclaim.
We wait Your command to serve You, Jesus, Master. Amen, resounding Amen.
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