Day 36: According to His Love
WEEK 6
Psalm 35:6-7
After hearing a sermon that reminded me of how often I fall short, I asked the Holy Spirit to reveal anything that was hindering my walk with God. Immediately, I sensed the Spirit saying, “I want you to bask in the Father’s love for you.” To those of us who struggle with shame, this answer may seem surprising. Shouldn’t He have told me to get my act together? But I believe that I heard the Lord correctly.
In Psalm 25:6–7, David pleads with God to remember His great mercy and love, saying, “Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good.” While reading the passage, it struck me that David made his petition before Jesus went to the Cross. As believers saved by grace, we don’t need to beg God not to remember our sinful ways. And, instead of asking Him to remember His mercy and love, we need to remind ourselves of how much we are loved by Him—in other words, to bask in His love.
To truly live in freedom, we must understand that the Cross changes everything. Because of what Jesus did, all our sin, all our shame, is under His blood . . . and God remembers it no more. When the Father looks at us, He doesn’t see our sins or failings; He sees His beloved child through eyes of grace and mercy.
Reflection Prayer
Father, we thank You that You remember our sins no more. When we feel like we’ve failed You, remind us that the Cross changes everything. Instead of dwelling on our sins, may we be conscious of our righteousness in Christ. Help us to understand the Old Testament through the lens of the New Covenant, which is a testament to Your abundant grace and mercy. Remind us of our need to continually bask in Your love and meditate on Your goodness to us. When we do fall short, help us to freely receive Your forgiveness. Amen.
Week 6: The Grace and Mercy of God
The attributes of our great God are many, but His grace and mercy are perhaps two of His most generous. By His grace, and through His mercy, we have been saved—as He not only offers us salvation but secures it. Grace is a gift, and it is by His mercy that we receive such. The Greek word for grace is χάρις, meaning, “of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting His holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ.” The Greek word for mercy is ἔλεος, meaning, “kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them.” In so knowing the Lord, we recognize His kindness in loving us enough to offer Himself generously. May we love Him deeper as we know Him more.
— Hannah Castro