SEPTEMBER 29 – Reading 272

by Marcia Rainey | September 29

“MERCY THAT INSPIRES AWE”
(Psalms 130:1-8; 132:1-18; 134:1-3; 135:1-21)

“If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness . . . and with him is full redemption.” — Psalm 130:3, 7

The recess aide walked a little boy to me, stating, “You need to have a conversation with this young man.” What she really was saying is that the “young man” did something wrong during recess, and I, the elementary Christian school principal, need to address it. As I walked the third grader back to my office, he told me that during recess, he played soccer, he didn’t do anything, his friend runs too fast and is “braggy,” sometimes he wants to win, it wasn’t his fault, etc. I eventually received a text from the recess aide who told me that he had tackled his friend, causing the friend to fall and get hurt. As I read him the text, he put his head on the table and began to cry. I wondered if this emotional outcry was simply fear of getting caught and the impending consequences for his actions. As we continued to talk, it became obvious that he was genuinely saddened by his anger and jealousy at his friend winning the game, and that his friend was now hurt. He was feeling overwhelmed with regret, guilt, and shame.

In Psalm 130, the psalmist cries out–not because of sickness, trial, tribulation, or oppression–because of the weight of his sin. He identified with a universal reality—all of us sin and fall short of God’s righteous and holy standard. As verse 3 admits, “If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, who could stand?” The answer is obvious—no one. Our words, deeds, and attitudes condemn us before His holy standard. When we sin, do we respond as the psalmist? 

Then comes the pivotal word—but. “But with you there is forgiveness.” Mercy means a withholding of deserved judgment and punishment. Those who cry to God will find mercy. My third-grade friend did pray, asking God to forgive him and help him not to sin when he gets angry. He also asked his friend to forgive him,  and then his friend prayed for him.  It was a touching spiritual moment as he prayed and received God’s mercy.  

God’s mercy is made possible only because Jesus Christ paid the ransom price for our sins by His sacrificial death on the cross. His atoning sacrifice satisfied God’s justice, removing the barrier of sin and opening the way for mercy. We are not partly forgiven—we are given “full redemption” (v. 7). We are completely set free because Jesus bore our punishment in our place. 

There is a lightness and joy that lifts us when our conscience has been washed and God’s mercy moves us beyond guilt and shame to a life of grateful reverence and joyful service.

Simple Truth:
Psalm 130 reveals that while our guilt before God is undeniable, the decisive word “but” opens the door to mercy and full redemption through Jesus’ sacrificial atonement, leading us to worship and serve Him with reverence.

Reflections: 

1. Reflect on the ransom Jesus paid (Mark 10:45) for your sin and what it cost Him so that you might have full redemption.

    

2. Is there sin that you need to repent of so that God’s mercy can wash you clean?

    

3. In what ways can this understanding of mercy and redemption deepen your daily worship and service?

Application: 

1. Reflect honestly on areas where your words, deeds, or attitudes fall short of God’s perfect standard.

    

2. Embrace God’s mercy daily by confessing your sins and receiving His compassion.

    

3. Release any lingering shame by declaring aloud God’s promise of full redemption.

    

4. Share your testimony with someone this week as God gives you the opportunity.

    

5. Let your gratitude for forgiveness inspire acts of worship and service this week.

Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, out of the depths I cry to you, LORD; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in Your word I put my hope. I put my hope in You, LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with You there is full redemption. Redeem me from all my sins. Amen (Psalm 130:1-5, 7-8)