God's Great Mercy

Andy seems to need a lot more sleep than I do, probably as a result of all the medications he is on. So after saying "good night" to him, I have been reading through the Bible before I go to bed myself. I'm actually on my second time through for this year!

I just finished reading through Jeremiah and was struck with the scathing indictment God gave on Israel's wickedness and idolatry. He was literally "sick and tired" of dealing with their rebellion and their stiff and stubborn necks. 

But then I got to chapter 31 and God continues to urge them to return to him. This is amazing. He tells them:  

"He who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar -- the Lord Almighty is his name; 'Only if these decrees vanish from my sight,' declares the Lord, 'will the descendants of Israel ever cease to be a nation before me.' This is what the Lord says: 'Only if the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below be searched out will I reject all the descendants of Israel because of all they have done," declares the LORD."

And just because we live in the age of the new covenant doesn't mean we are any different than the Israelites were. We may have more "sophisticated" idols, but they're idols nevertheless. We give our hearts, our allegiance to other things when we worry, complain, want our own way, etc.

But God still leads us to repentance by his kindness. He patiently draws us back to himself, showering us with grace and mercy and his everlasting love. He doesn't give up on us. Overwhelming!

"Overwhelmed"

I see the work of Your hands
Galaxies spin in a heavenly dance oh God
All that You are is so overwhelming

I hear the sound of Your voice
All at once it’s a gentle and thundering noise oh God
All that You are is so overwhelming

I delight myself in You
Captivated by Your beauty
I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You

God, I run into Your arms
Unashamed because of mercy
I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You

I know the power of Your cross
Forgiven and free forever You’ll be my God

All that You’ve done is so overwhelming
I delight myself in You
In the Glory of Your Presence
I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You

God, I run into Your arms
Unashamed because of mercy
I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You

You are Beautiful, You are Beautiful
Oh God, there is no one more Beautiful
You are Beautiful, God you are the most Beautiful

You are Wonderful, You are Wonderful
Oh God, there is no one more Wonderful
You are Wonderful, God You are the most Wonderful

You are Glorious, You are Glorious
Oh God, there is no one more Glorious
You are Glorious, God you are the most Glorious 

Songwriters
WEAVER, MICHAEL DAVID/WICKHAM, PHIL

Published by
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group

We've been working at getting ready for Christmas. On Tuesday Andy and I put up the Christmas tree - all by ourselves and without arguing or becoming frustrated with each other - major victory!

 

 

Yesterday one of our youth pastors came over with his helpers (I use that term loosely !!) to put up our outside lights. It was fun having them here and they did a great job, even setting up the timers to come on and off automatically each night. This made me very happy, and I love looking at these lights at night. Andy did what he does so well - occupied the kids!

 

 

 

The mail is bringing packages every day and I'm almost finished with ordering gifts for the family.

 

The weather has been exceptionally beautiful yesterday and today. We didn't go hiking yesterday because of putting up the lights, but today we ventured out. I didn't want to go very far from home so we stopped at the Mill Pond in Vincentown. We had been there last winter when the pond was frozen and I wanted to stop by again. I didn't realize it, but there is no trail, just some benches to sit and look at the water and watch any ducks and geese that might be on the pond.

 

Vincentown is a quaint little town. The bridges across the streams are beautifully built and as we got out of our car, church bells were chiming, "He Leadeth Me."

 

Since there was no trail to hike, we decided to venture on a little further to the Pinelands Preservation Alliance. We had been there before but had not done any hiking at that spot. They had a trail all around their property, short and private. We saw a number of birds, probably attracted to all the berries still on the trees.

 

 

So once again we got our nature therapy...good for another week!

  

Lamentations 3:22-23 - New International Version (NIV) 

²² Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
²³ They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.