THURSDAY

Psalm 30:8-10

• In what ways do you need to experience God’s mercy? When have you known that God heard you and knew your needs?

Shawn Mendes sings a lovesick pop ballad whose lyrics say this:

Please have mercy on me

Take it easy on my heart

Would you please have mercy, mercy on my heart?

Would you please have mercy, mercy on my heart?

Maybe you’ve felt the sting of heartbreak, or maybe you haven’t. But Mendes’ words ring so true to those of us who have been in this position. When you are so overwhelmingly invested in someone, anything other than 100% reciprocation feels like draconian cruelty. When someone doesn’t love you back, it doesn’t feel dramatic to beg like Shawn: “Please have mercy on my heart.”

God is a merciful God. Sometimes, we’re self-aware enough to ask for mercy and forgiveness. And the best news is that God will always fulfill our request. God will always have mercy on us.

To you, Lord, I called;

to the Lord I cried for mercy:

Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me;

Lord, be my help.