August 17

Morning

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in the loving devotion of God forever and ever. — Ps 52:8 BSB

Take a moment to meditate on the mercy of the Lord.

It is tender mercy. With gentle, loving care, He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. The manner of His mercy is just as gracious as the mercy itself.

It is great mercy. Nothing about God is small; His mercy is like Himself—limitless. You cannot measure it. His mercy is so vast that it forgives great sins committed by great sinners, even after great lengths of time. And then, He bestows great blessings, great privileges, and raises us up to great joy in the great heaven of the great God!

It is undeserved mercy, as all true mercy must be, for deserved mercy is simply justice by another name. There is no rightful claim on the sinner's part for the kind consideration of the Most High. If the rebel were immediately sentenced to eternal punishment, he would have earned it. But if he is delivered from wrath, sovereign love alone is the cause, for there is none in the sinner himself.

It is rich mercy. Some things are great but lack impact, yet this mercy is a balm to your troubled soul, a golden ointment for your bleeding wounds, a heavenly bandage for your broken bones, a royal chariot for your weary feet, and a tender embrace for your trembling heart!

It is manifold mercy. As Bunyan says, “All the flowers in God’s garden are double.” There is no such thing as a single mercy. You may think you’ve received just one but you’ll find that it’s a whole cluster of mercies.

It is abounding mercy. Millions have received it, yet it is far from being exhausted. It remains as fresh, full, and free as ever!

It is unfailing mercy. It will never leave you. If you are saved by sovereign mercy, it will be with you in temptation to keep you from falling; with you in trouble to keep you from despair; with you in life to be the light of your countenance; and with you in death to be the joy of your soul when earthly comforts fade away!

Evening

When Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” — John 11:4 BSB

From our Lord’s words, we learn that sickness has a limit. There is a boundary beyond which its ultimate effect cannot go. Lazarus could pass through death, but death was not the end of his sickness. In every sickness, the Lord says to the waves of pain, “This far and no further!” His purpose is not to destroy His people but to teach them. His wisdom governs the temperature of the furnace and adjusts the intensity of our afflictions.

1. The limit is comprehensive. The God of providence has set limits on the time, manner, intensity, and effects of all our sufferings. Every heartbeat is measured, every sleepless hour predetermined, every relapse ordained, every discouragement foreseen, and every sanctifying outcome eternally purposed. Nothing, great or small, escapes the hand of the One who counts the hairs on our head.

2. The limit is wisely adjusted to our strength, the purpose intended, and the grace available. Affliction never happens by chance; every stroke of the rod is measured with precision. He who balanced the clouds and measured out the heavens makes no mistakes in mixing the ingredients of our soul’s medicine. We cannot suffer too much or be delivered too late.

3. The limit is tenderly appointed. The Surgeon’s scalpel never cuts deeper than is absolutely necessary. “He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.” A mother may cry, “Spare my child!” but no mother is more compassionate than our gracious God. Considering how stubborn we can be, it’s amazing we aren’t disciplined more severely!

It’s comforting to know that the One who set the boundaries of our existence has also set the boundaries of our afflictions.