Luke 1:78 …because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven….
My students are sometimes very resistant to taking chances, especially when it comes to reading poetry. Many are often quick to respond, “I just don’t get it,” without even trying. So I encourage them to focus on what they do understand or on images and phrases that resonate with them or that remind them of something in their own lives. I often take a similar approach when I am reading scripture, and in Luke 1:78, the line “the tender mercy of our God” is one that resonates deeply.
Lam 3:22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end….
I often talk about God’s fierce love of His children, His unending mercy, His unfathomable grace for us, but to think of “the tender mercy of our God” feels entirely different in the best possible way. God is not only mighty and fierce, He is tender and gentle, like the newborn Savior, wrapped in swaddling clothing and lying in a manger.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for scripture that speaks of Your tender mercies, and for lines of scripture that resonate deeply. Thank You for Your strength and Your gentleness and for Your precious Son, born in a stable, wrapped in swaddling clothing, who has come to redeem us all. Help us to prepare our hearts for Him. Draw us closer. Amen.
Lam 3:22-23 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.