Daily Devotional For Monday, December 11, 2023

Our Word for today is — MERCY. The Christmas word for today is mercy.

We often think of God’s mercy more at Easter than at Christmas. While His mercy was deeply shown to us by Jesus’ death on the cross, it is also seen in the birth of Jesus. From the very beginning, God revealed that He was sending His mercy into the world through Jesus. You can hear it in two of the songs that were sung that first Christmas.

When we think of Christmas songs, we think of carols like “Silent Night” or “Joy to the World.” Long before these, those who were in the midst of the first Christmas sang songs to express their joy and worship. Mary sang about God’s mercy in her song, and Zechariah sang about it in his prophetic song. 

Mary’s song of worship is the most familiar of all of those the first Christmas. We call it “The Magnificat” based on the Latin for the word “magnify” that begins the song. Magnify the Lord with me. In Luke 1:50 she sings these words in Luke 1:50, “He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear Him” (Luke 1:50 NLT). 

As Mary sings about mercy, she looks not just at herself, but at every generation. She’s looking back to all the generations that are before her. God has shown His mercy by sending the promised Messiah to save His people. She also is looking forward to all the generations to follow. The mercy of God has been poured out on all mankind. 

When we think about mercy we often think about how it relates to us personally. We’re grateful for God’s amazing forgiveness and grace in our lives. Mary reminds us to then think beyond ourselves. There is not a generation in history to which God is not willing to show His mercy. There is not a person created to whom God is not willing to show hHs mercy!

Mary sings that this mercy is shown “to those who fear Him.” Fearing God does not mean you’re frightened of God. That would make you want to avoid him. It means you are living your life based on an awareness of God’s awesome power and love. It means you have a respect for God that motivates you to always want to bring glory to God with your life. This is what draws you to His mercy.

Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, also sang about God’s mercy in his prophetic song. Look at Luke 1:78-79, “Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, (78) give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace (NLT).

The phrase “tender mercy” captures our attention. There was a movie based on these words made in the 1980s. Titled “Tender Mercies,” the movie tells the story of Mac, a country singer who gradually is drawn into the mercy of God’s forgiveness through Christ. The movie earned five academy award nominations and a best actor award for Robert Duvall, much because there is no more compelling or powerful story than the story of God’s mercy.

Think of how He showed His tender mercy to you; gradually showing you the way of forgiveness, overlooking your sin and pride, never giving up on you. If you are a parent, think of how He is doing this in the lives of your children day by day. When we accept this gift of His mercy, Zechariah tells us that it is the light of heaven breaking upon our hearts. God gives us light no matter what darkness has been in our lives and guidance for the life of peace that he has planned for us. 

So what will you do about this wonderful mercy of God today? Romans 12:1 tells us what to do, “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him” (NLT).

Because God has been merciful to you, you are set free to serve and worship Him today. Let the joyful song of mercy sing through your life today. Jesus says in Luke 12:48b, “When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required” (NLT). Meaning — God has and continues to give us lots of His mercy and this means we in turn, should lavish others with mercy.

1. Who do you need to lavish with mercy that you think or others think do not deserve it?  God gives us what we need, not what we deserve. Be like Jesus Christ.
2. This week, take some time in your own personal quiet time with God to look up as many references to mercy in the Bible. What do theses verses tell you?

Scripture to Meditate On: Matthew 5:7, Jesus said, “God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (NLT). 

Prayer To Pray: “Father, thank You for Your tender mercy. Thank You that You never give up on me; that You are always leading me to places of forgiveness and grace. Because of that grace, forgiveness, and mercy, I offer myself to You today. I want this day to be an expression of my love for You. I pray that You will lead me to love the people that You put in my path today. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”