Trusting in grace and mercy
Those who worship false gods
turn their backs on all God’s mercies. ~ Jonah 2:8 (NLT)
I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. ~ Galatians 2:21a (NIV)
Lord, you value us so much that you allow us to decide whether we will receive your kindness. Even though you are all powerful you are not the kind of God who forces his way on people. You are not manipulative -- but you are generous. I, on the other hand, am not so trusting. And I'm easily distracted by other gods and the schemes of men. But, please, don't give up on me. I am still trusting in your grace and mercy. Amen.
TRANSLATIONS
ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase — my own freestyle biblical adaptation — somewhere between paraphrase, commentary, and sermon
CEB = Common English Bible (©2011, the Common English Bible)
CEV = Contemporary English Version (©1995, American Bible Society)
MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)
NIRV = New International Reader's Version (©1996, 1998, Biblica)
NIV = New International Version (©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica)
NLT = New Living Translation (©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, Tyndale House Foundation)
