August 5, 2011 – Psalms 89

I found verses 32-34 very interesting. It begins by talking about the punishment that will come if God is disobeyed. But it concludes with the promise that His mercy will never be taken away. We have here a promise of mercy, but also a promise of justice if we go astray. Our world sees mercy only as a lack of punishment, but that is not a mercy God promises. Sometimes we deserve punishment and God will not withhold that from us and we should except it as something that will bring us closer to Him. Mercy is not a lack of punishment or a easy road, it is the fact that His love and forgiveness will always be there, that He will always long to be united with us. When we ask for God’s mercy, pray we understand that does not mean an easy path, free and clear of all obstacles. It means bathing ourselves in His Grace so we can be more closely united with Him, whatever that takes.