“Mercy and Grace” Guest Blogger: Pastor Bart Bouman This Sunday, we’ll look at a Psalm that has been ministering to my soul lately – Psalm 25. It is a psalm that appears to have been written toward the end of David’s life. Age gives you a wider perspective of life, to be sure. In it, he often cries out to God for mercy on account of his sin. He calls his sin “great”. And, he remembers the sins of his youth though has asks God not to!! I can resonate with David as I think many of us can. In fact, one of my recurring prayers to God is the prayer of Jacob, “I am not worthy of the least of Your mercies.” This is true. Mercy is not the sort of thing a person can earn. It is a gift. But as I have prayed it repeatedly at one point I felt the Lord nudge me and suggest, “You know, that’s really not the point.” I’ve thought about that for some time. This morning, I was reading again the account of Joseph and his brothers. You know it – the brothers rejected and sold him into slavery then lied about it with a cover-up story to their dad. It is sad. And, in fact, it pictures our relationship with God and His Son Jesus. We were His enemies. Ugh. Remembering this is a cause for misery. Or is it? Joseph doesn’t seem to think so. He tells his brothers “do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here…” What mercy! Beyond that, he encourages them not to “be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” What grace! Mercy is not meant to make us miserable nor is grace meant to make us guilty. Mercy and grace are gifts to be received and enjoyed. Today, let’s live as blessed children of our Merciful and Gracious God.