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Trust Is the Foundation of Our Joy

Daily Reflection / Produced by The High Calling
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"I put my trust in your mercy; my heart is joyful because of your saving help."

Psalms 13:5

Recently, I had a major project in the works, and the timing of a colleague determined its success or failure. But he repeatedly failed to do his job. And to make matters worse, when we had a conference call with our team, he pretended everything was fine.

I was furious, and that emotion only got worse when the project struggled to gain traction because of this colleague's failure to do his part. I trusted him, and for some reason, he simply didn't follow through.

Too often I find my joy is directly tied to the actions of people around me. Whether that's a spouse, a friend, or a colleague, it is deeply disappointing when someone lets me down.

Today's Psalm reminds us that God never lets us down. It expresses a deep reliance on God's mercy: We stand before God only because of his mercy, and we get back up after we fall only because of his mercy.

More importantly, God assures us that we can place our full trust and confidence in his mercy. Each time I fail God or others, I am reminded that no matter what, God's mercy remains. No particular sin or transgression is too much for God. We have an abiding mercy that we can always trust and rejoice in.

Could there be better news for us?

FOR FURTHER REFLECTION:

Are you discouraged or sad today? Are those emotions keeping you from approaching or trusting God?

What do you think about God's mercy? Do you believe it also applies to you or that you've sinned so greatly that you're beyond hope? Bring those thoughts to God today.

PRAYER:

Our Father, we need your new mercies each and every morning. May we never believe that we are beyond your love and mercy. As we receive your forgiveness and acceptance today, give us the grace to extend the same to others. Amen.

READ THE PASSAGE IN CONTEXT:

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord's praise, for he has been good to me.

Psalm 13:5