Introductory Thoughts
Man naturally reacts to God’s chastening similar to how Cain reacted when he said, “My punishment is greater than I can bear” (Genesis 4:13). Any honest person, however, would have to confess with the sweet psalmist of Israel that God “hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities” (Psalm 103:10). Truthfully, every man deserves hell because “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Additionally, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way;” yet “the LORD hath laid on him [Christ] the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). Truly men have been made partakers, undeservedly so, of God’s mercy, grace, and forgiveness.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): Paul knew he deserved hell and that God's mercy and grace saved him (1 Timothy 1:13-16; Titus 3:5-7). Man has no hope without mercy and grace (Psalm 130:3; Ezra 9:13; Nehemiah 9:31; Lamentations 3:22-23; Hebrews 2:1-3).
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(For everyone): Have you been made a partaker of Gods wrath or Gods grace? Why? What do you deserve? What would happen if God judged you according to your sins? Would He be just in doing so?
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Read Ephesians 1:7. Instead of dealing with you according to your sins, God has dealt with you according to the riches of his grace. When is the last time you thanked Him for this grace?
Prayer Thoughts
- Thank God for His marvellous grace.
- Ask God to continually remind you of His goodness toward you.
Song
GLORY TO HIS NAME
