10/11/2024
HerWord: Mercy That Meets Us Where We Are
Let me tell you something God’s grace is real. It’s not something we have to earn or chase down, but something that’s already flowing freely. Psalm 145:8-9 reminds us that God is gracious (ḥannûn), full of compassion (raḥûm), slow to anger (’erek ’appayim), and overflowing with mercy (ḥesed). These words are packed with meaning.
God’s ḥannûn means He shows kindness, even when we don’t deserve it. His raḥûm compassion is that deep, loving care, like a mother with her child. Erek ’appayim? That’s a beautiful way of saying God has a long fuse … He doesn’t snap in anger like we do. And His ḥesed, that steadfast love and mercy, is a never-ending flow. That’s who He is, and He never changes.
Now, I know life can be tough. We live in a world where patience runs thin, where mercy feels scarce, and where people are quick to write you off. But let me remind you of something powerful today—God’s not like that. He’s not sitting up in heaven counting your mistakes, waiting to zap you for messing up. Nah, He’s gracious. And His compassion? It’s so deep that it’s like a parent’s love, tender and never-ending. That’s the kind of God we serve—a God who looks at you with eyes full of love, not judgment.
Slow to anger. Aren’t you grateful for that? Because I know I am! In fact, let me keep it real—yesterday, God had to convict, correct, and get me all the way together on this. Sometimes I’m quick to react, and He had to remind me that I need to be slow to anger, too. He’s patient with us, so we’ve got to be patient with others. And trust me, He got me all the way together on that one!
When you’ve gone left when He told you to go right, when you’ve hit rock bottom, His anger doesn’t rise up quick like ours does. He’s patient. He’s giving you time, giving you grace to figure it out, to turn back around, to come home.
And don’t get it twisted, His ḥesed, His mercy? Great. Not just enough, not just a sprinkle. It’s overflowing, it’s abundant, and it covers everything. It’s not just for the saints who’ve “got it all together” (because, let’s be real, nobody really does). It’s for you. Right where you are, right in the middle of whatever you’re going through. God’s mercy is reaching for you, even when you’re not reaching for Him.
Here’s the real talk: Sometimes we feel like we’ve messed up too much. Like, “God can’t still love me after this.” But sis, He does. His mercy is over all His works. That means everything and everyone He’s created, including you, is covered by His mercy. There’s no limit. There’s no boundary where His grace stops. He’s got you.
And let’s not just keep this for ourselves. The same grace God gives to you, He’s calling you to give to others. In a world that’s quick to clap back, we’re called to be gracious, to be slow to anger, to extend the same compassion we’ve received. Don’t let the world harden your heart. Be that vessel of mercy in your home, your job, your relationships. Be that reflection of God’s goodness.
So, when you’re feeling like the world’s weight is on your shoulders, or you’ve fallen short, remember this: God’s tender mercies are over all His works, and that includes YOU. He even showed me that a few days ago, by having someone I hadn’t spoken with in years send me a text to say, in the midst of all your stuff sis know that God got you and He has people praying for you. It was so out of the blue and unexpected. That morning I asked God if He is hearing me and boom later that afternoon the unexpected text. He’s meeting you where you are, not with judgment, but with compassion, with grace, and with an outstretched hand saying, “Come on, I’ve got you.”
Let’s go, let’s get it!
With love,
Dr. TeeCee🌸💜🦋
