Lent 2020 day 34

’But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.’ (Ephesians 2:4-5)

Lucy Peppiatt writes:

“I think we imagine that one of the hardest things for us to understand is that God was made man, or that God is three persons in one in the Trinity, but I don’t think it’s that. I think the hardest thing for us to believe is how much God loves us just as we are.

Paul seems to have had a deep insight into the love of God in Christ, and he writes about it all the time. Love that is poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit so that we know deep down that we are children of God. We know God is merciful because he loves us even when we’re deep in sin and rebellion; he is rich in love and mercy and makes us come alive.

This is grace – love that reaches down to where we are to forgive us, pick us up, and restore us in the depths of our beings.

Dearest Lord,
Thank you for your grace. Reveal to us today the tenderness and the depths of your mercy – the mercy that reaches down to me wherever I am, whatever I’ve done, and however I’m feeling. Amen.”