Mercy Came… Grace Carried Me 
by Theresa Corum, Editor

             There are times in life that problems are like the drift of the sea. You may be caught up in everyday issues and find yourself overwhelmed. This drift is the force that takes you to a place where your problems, stresses, and fears become too much to bear. This is a very dark place to be. In faith, when the drift is carrying you in the depth of the sea, a hand will reach down and lift you out of the waters deep. At that moment, the forceful waves – your problems, stresses and fears that were swallowing you into the darkness of the earth – will become strengthless and powerless and have no effect over you.

             With amazement, you realize this was God the Father, of all mankind, ushering in mercy for you. The gentle strength of mercy lifted you out of the darkness and brought you into the hands of grace. Now you know him whose hands these are. He is a refuge, a tower, a light in the dark. He is a comfort, a friend, a shelter in the storm. He is a healer, a deliverer, and a redeemer. He is God, Jehovah Jireh, your provider. He is yours.

             Trust in the God of Mercy, and grace will carry you. Through faith, grace will always carry you. It will be grace, one day, that will lift you into the very presence of the one who loves you most: your heavenly Father, Yahweh.

             Today, right now, believe and have faith that God is near. Reach out to him, and he will meet you no matter where you are. Raise your hands and receive his mercy. God has found favor in you and sent a rescue for you. He hears your cries. He catches your tears. He will heal your wounds, restore you, and make you whole. He is here for you. Experiencing the mercy of God will lead you into the hands of grace where there is no punishment for your wrongdoing.

             Forgiveness is provided in the life and resurrection of God’s son, Jesus Christ the Lord. The most amazing thing is that mercy came because of his death, and the resurrection was the arms of grace. It is mercy and grace that deliver you into the very presence of the one who has loves you most: your heavenly father, Yahweh.

             Welcome to the loving arms of God.