It's been said that anyone who has encountered God's mercy, who has been caressed by its tenderness, is happy and comfortable with the Lord.
Would you agree with that? I do.
Have you ever thought about how you've experienced God’s mercy? Believe it or not, it is not always in the big flashy ways most people expect.
Experiencing God’s mercy may be as simple as remaining involved in the ministries of God’s church where you attend worship (if you do). Or by recognizing God has forgiven your mistakes.
Perhaps you have experienced God’s mercy by being blessed with a wonderful family. Or by remaining married when it seems like your spouse should have left you for some grievous error on your part.
Although we constantly sin, God calls us to repentance and faithfulness. His mercy is unending.
How closely do you pay attention to God's mercy? Do you stop to think about it? Does the gratitude fill your heart?
When you think about the many forms of God's mercy, you may start to feel overwhelmed. You may feel humbled. Each of us, deserving of God’s condemnation instead receives God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness.
This is truly a gift from God.
The Rev. Mark Broadhead is Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview’s pastor.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FROM THE PULPIT: God's mercy takes many forms