There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 588)
1 There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, Like the wideness of the sea;
There’s a kindness in his justice Which is more than liberty
There is no place where earth’s sorrows Are more felt than up in heav’n.
There is no place where earth’s failings Have kindly judgment giv’n.
2 There is a welcome for the sinner, And a promised grace made good;
There is a mercy with the Savior; There is healing in his blood.
There is grace enough for thousands Of new worlds as great as this;
There is room for fresh creations In that upper home of bliss.
3 For the love of God is broader Than the measures of our mind;
And the heart of the eternal Is most wonderfully kind.
There is plentiful redemption In the blood that has been shed;
There is joy for all the members In the sorrows of the head.
4 ‘Tis not all we owe to Jesus; It is something more than all:
Greater good because of evil, Larger mercy through the fall.
If our love were but more simple, We should take him at his word;
And our lives would be all sunshine In the sweetness of the Lord.
Text: Frederick W. Faber; Music: North American; Public Domain
Devotion
God’s mercy is…our gift.
The theme for this week has been mercy. God’s mercy is reflected in Joseph’s treatment of his brothers in Egypt. Mercy is what the Apostle Paul sees in the actions of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Mercy is what Jesus preaches to the people about in his sermon on the plain.
So often in our culture, revenge has a powerful grip on us. Yet, Fredrick Faber proclaims, “There is welcome for the sinner, and a promised grace made good; there is mercy with the Savior; there is healing in his blood.” Yes, mercy is the blessing we get when we don’t deserve it. Mercy is at the heart of God’s relationship with all people. It is a gift—pure and simple.
Prayer
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer today. We thank you for your gift of mercy, especially in these uncertain times. Watch over your church. Give your people the courage to live into our lives of faith. Help us with our struggles, for we know that there is mercy and healing through your Son. Amen.