January 3

A Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite. I will sing of the loving devotion of the LORD forever; with my mouth I will proclaim Your faithfulness to all generations. — Ps 89:1 BSB

We are surrounded by God's mercies—mercies for both the body and the soul. However, there are times when these mercies seem hidden from our view. Whether due to sin, rebellion, unbelief, or the challenges of life, we may feel as if we are cut off from God's blessings. Like Elisha’s servant who couldn't see the chariots of fire protecting them, we may fail to see God's mercies even when they are all around us. During such times, we may be tempted to complain and question, "Has His mercy vanished forever? Will He show favor no more?"

Yet, this is our weakness and doesn't stop God's mercies from continuing to flow, just as a dry field cannot stop the rain. God's mercies, like Himself, are infinite, pouring out freely like the sunlight, the air we breathe, or a river that never runs dry. Everything around us testifies to the mercy of God, for those with eyes to see and hearts to receive it. For them, all things in nature, providence, and grace declare, "The mercy of the Lord endures forever."

When we truly feel these mercies in our souls, they soften our hearts and lead us to trust and love God more. By this, we are able to understand the beauty and purpose of God's commandments. If I see God’s mercies but feel no personal connection to them, I might resist His commands. But when God's mercies reach my heart and transform me, no burden seems too heavy, no trial too difficult, no path of suffering too hard to walk. The reason we often fail to obey God is that we do not feel His mercies deeply enough. Love and obedience go hand in hand, just as a shadow follows the sun.