Mercy and forgiveness

Your sins keep my blessings at a distance. ~ Jeremiah 5:25 (MSG)

“Meanwhile the tax man, slumped in the shadows, his face in his hands, not daring to look up, said, ‘God, give mercy. Forgive me, a sinner.’” ~ Luke 18:13 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

Ironically, our sin often keeps us from realizing that God wants to bless us with forgiveness.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for your mercy. However, I am often so self-confident that I am unaware of my need for your mercy and forgiveness. I realize that I need to become more like the humbled taxman, aware of his own brokenness and his inability to make things right. I'm going to trust you to straighten out the mess that I've created for myself. I know that I can't do it. But Jesus has already acted on my behalf. Amen.