“I entreat your favor with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.” Psalm 119.58
There is no greater mercy to be found than that which is revealed in the Word of God. In this verse, following his exclamation of the Lord being his portion and resolved obedience (57), the psalmist calls out for the Lord’s mercy.
To this point in the psalm, the poet has expressed an understanding of his own weakness, of his sin, and of his desire to obey God’s Word, to walk in his ways. This obedience is impossible apart from the mercy of God, and the mercy of the Lord is best seen in his promises. The psalmist has already expressed confidence in those promises. Still, even though he has recognized that the Lord is his portion, he continues to pray.
May we never allow understanding of God’s Word, of his majestic grace and mercy toward us, lead us to neglect prayer. Instead may we, like the psalmist, continue to faithfully seek the grace of the Lord and remember the depth of our need for his mercy.
In what ways do you daily seek the mercies of the Lord? How do you express your dependence on him in prayer? Spend some time thanking the Lord for the great mercy and grace he has shown you.
Gracious heavenly Father, your are abundantly gracious and kind. Thank you for revealing our ever-present need to us. Be gracious to us according to your promises, that we may live in faithfulness to you. Amen.