Showing strength in showing mercy

Listen to us, 0 Shepherd of Israel;
hear us, leader of your flock.
Seated on your throne above the winged creatures,
reveal yourself to the tribes of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh.
Show us your strength; come and save us!
Bring us back, O God!
Show us your mercy, and we will be saved!   (verses 1-3)

Read Psalm 80:1-17

If somebody asked you how you know that God is strong, what would you say? Would you talk about the vastness of the universe that he created? The powerful forces of nature at his command? The great diversity of creation? Or perhaps some other great show of strength? The psalmist in today’s reading asks God to show his strength by having mercy on his people. It’s not just that the psalmist wants God to triumph over his enemies; he asks God to show his strength in restoring his people to their homeland.

God shows you his power and justice in restoring you to a good relationship with him. In Christ he has defeated your enemies; he has defeated sin and death. In Christ he forgives your sins and shares his life with you.

Father, show me your strength by showing me your mercy. Amen.

By Fraser Pearce, in “God’s Promises for each day” (LCA, Openbook Publishers (1999)

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