We are frail—so much more than we think. Just the other day, I was in the Philadelphia airport, when a fit man about my age began having seizures. I WAS trying to help his wife and keep him stable while we were waiting on the paramedics. The man was dazed, confused and his clothing and beard were covered in vomit. My heart went out to them both. I knew they were in shock. I couldn’t do much except call 911 and find napkins to help her clean his face and clothes. She was crying. We were both talking to him so he would remain conscious. I could see confusion and desperation in his eyes—like his mind was trapped inside his body. As the ambulance took him away, I felt their complete despair. I prayed for God to have mercy on them and restore his health.
This incident reminded me that my whole world can change in an instant and—every breath I take is because of God’s great mercy.
You see, I take so much of my life for granted. I tend to live like God OWES me good health and a smooth life. But, God doesn’t owe me anything. His great gift of salvation came at a price that is greater than I can fathom. By human standards—God paid enough because He gave the ultimate sacrifice. But yet, He continues to give. It is only by HIS MERCY that any part of our life is blessed. One minute we can be on a lovely trip and the next moment we could be on a trip to the hospital.
Why does any of this matter???
Well, our heightened awareness of our total frailty helps us gain a healthy dependence upon God. The fact that we have life and it is relatively smooth—amidst so much that COULD go wrong—is 100% proof of His great mercy. An awareness of God’s mercy keeps our heart thankful. A thankful heart makes for a satisfied soul.
I like to pray from Psalms 103, to keep my heart in touch with the reality of God’s great mercy:
“The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He has NOT dealt with us according to our sins, NOR punished us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth, so GREAT is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him.
For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them.”
Psalms 103:8,10-18
God cherishes His children and the proof is in His great gift of mercy.
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