God’s Mercy for Your Mistakes - Your Daily Prayer - August 30

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God’s Mercy for Your Mistakes

TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE

“If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself." - 2 Timothy 2:13

SOMETHING TO PONDER

I was a sophomore in high school when a young woman asked me, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” While such a profound and important question, I didn’t know how to answer her. I was a Christian, but I certainly didn’t understand all the ins and outs of Scripture.

Instead of offering to walk through these questions with this fellow student, I went home, googled the question, printed 12 pages off Got Questions, and stuck them in front of her nose the next day. You won’t be surprised to know that I saw that stack in the trash can when I left class later that day.

In a lot of ways, I felt like a failure. This girl was asking me about God, but instead of showing her, I tried to provide her with knowledge. While knowledge of God is important to our growth and understanding, we’re also called to be like Jesus. To embody Him. To walk with others through their suffering. And in that moment, I didn’t.

Looking back, I’m thankful for God’s mercy in my mistakes. This is just one of many “mess-ups” I’ve had in my life. I’m sure you can identify many of those moments in your own. But despite our failures, 2 Timothy 2:13 has always encouraged me: “if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.”

While this Scripture isn’t an excuse to keep on sinning or fail on purpose, it reassures us that God is God and we’re not. None of us this side of Heaven is perfect. Therefore, we’re going to stumble, mess up, and fall daily. But God can still use us. He delights in our weaknesses. And even when we fail, reject, or forget about Him, He’s faithful to us. Why? Because God’s character is faithful. He cannot disown Himself. That’s not who He is.

To this day, I think of that curious girl in my class often. I don’t think she became a Believer, and I know for a fact she never asked me any more questions. But I ask God to have mercy on me for failing Him and her in that moment. And I ask Him for other opportunities to try over and over again.

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Dear Jesus, as I prepare for bed tonight, my mind reminds me of all the things I’ve done wrong. My sins are many, and my failures pile up to the heavens. But you, oh, Lord, are good and you are God. You are perfect, holy, and faithful. When I’m faithless, forgive me. Help me to become more like you. And though I don’t deserve it, Jesus, use me in the midst of my failures. I ask for your mercy for my mistakes. Continue to make something of my life, Jesus. I love and trust you. Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

Think about a time when you felt like a failure. Sit in those emotions. Then, read 2 Timothy 2:13. What does this verse demonstrate about God’s love for us amidst our faults?
The next time you’re tempted not to forgive someone, think about your own faults. If God has forgiven us, who are we to withhold forgiveness from others?
Is there someone in your life you could share Jesus with today? Send them a text, write them a note, or offer to meet up. Then, make sure they know the power of His forgiveness and mercy.

Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

Photo Credit: Unsplash

Amber Ginter is a teacher-turned-author who loves Jesus, her husband Ben, and granola. Growing up Amber looked for faith and mental health resources and found none. Today, she offers hope for young Christians struggling with mental illness that goes beyond simply reading your Bible and praying more. Because you can love Jesus and still suffer from anxiety. You can download her top faith and mental health resources for free to help navigate books, podcasts, videos, and influencers from a faith lens perspective. Visit her website at amberginter.com.

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