1 Chronicles 19-21

"David said to Gad, 'I am in deep distress. Let me fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is very great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men.'

So the LORD sent a plague on Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell dead. And God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem. But as the angel was doing so, the LORD saw it and was grieved because of the calamity and said to the angel who was destroying the people, 'Enough! Withdraw your hand.'"

How was David able to say that God's mercy is "very great"? I mean, God struck down 70,000 men for the sin David committed. It's not what comes to mind when we think of mercy.

But I am humbled this morning, because of what David said. He knew God. He knew God as the creator of all things. He knew God's sovereignty. He knew God as, well, God. He knew that God has the authority and the power to do way more damage than to kill 70,000 men. Even though David was king, he knew his place in the eyes of God. And he certainly knew who God was to him.

I am humbled because I'm reminded this morning that this great God, the creator of all things, saw something in us worth saving, when he sent Jesus to die for us. And I'm a bit discouraged this morning because I don't feel that I'm worth being saved by God...

But it is the reminder of this great mercy and the love of God that keeps us going. Thank God that we are called his children this day. It scares me to think where I'd be without the love of Jesus in my life. I often feel overwhelmed these days, because I allow myself to dwell in doubt and fear. But I need to have faith in his word today that, "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."