God's merit

Lord, I ask you to hear me by your own merits rather than by mine.

Our greatest creations still fall far short of God’s galaxies. God is so much greater than we are. It is good for our souls to remember that.

If our greatest act demonstrates the ability to conceive life, let us not forget that God created the first life and we have only inherited the ability to multiply what he gave us in the first place. And let’s not forget that we did not create spirit and soul. Those are God’s; the “breath of life” came from his chest and mouth, not ours. We’re simply handing off what he gave.

His merits are so much greater than ours. There is no other way; if we say we “come to God” in prayer it is only because he came to us first in humility. God’s humility is therefore his greatness; his mercy is his merit.

We are the ones who need mercy. He is the one who grants it. Trouble comes our way when we get those two simple truths mixed around.

Let us also meditate today on forgiveness again: we did not deserve it. (Is there any such thing as “deserved” forgiveness, anyway? Yet, we somehow feel entitled to that, even). God forgives not because we’re so great; he forgives because he’s so great. In fact, his forgiveness delays our death. Let’s not forget that. Because of his limitless forgiveness we are alive now and tonight you will be able to step outside and see the stars, yet another reminder of his indescribable merit and our unending need.

Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the Lord. -Psalm 107:43