Thoughts on Romans 12; By the Mercies of God

"Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them. The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word. Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, you ministers of His, who do His pleasure. Bless the Lord, all His works, In all places of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!" ~Psalm 103

 I considered not sharing this post, because it doesn't involve much "writing" by me. But no matter what  writing challenge this series may by connected to, my first and foremost goal was to share the Lord through this series. And I just couldn't go through my "Thoughts on Romans 12" without pointing out that little phrase, in Romans 12:1, "by the mercies of God". It grabs my attention every time. It can be passed over lightly at first... but it holds so much meaning. It is the Lord's mercies -not our work, not our will, not our anything- but the Lord's mercies that have given us every blessing we have, and that uphold us as we seek to follow Him, after, by His mercy, He has broken our hearts of stone and replaced them with saving faith in Him. Nothing we could do could let us earn the mercy of the Lord. But He is a merciful God, giving us even what we don't deserve. 

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

                                  ~ Thomas O. Chisholm